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Tattletales get cash for snitching in Big
Apple.
Cash-strapped New York City, in an attempt to cut
down on the number of money-wasting fraudulent legal claims, is
asking residents to snitch on neighbors who try such scams.
The city has set up a tip line and an e-mail address for city residents to
use if they have information about their neighbors who they think may be
filing false lawsuits.
City Comptroller William Thompson is featured in a television and radio
campaign to promote the program.
"In these tough fiscal times, millions of taxpayer dollars are lost every
year due to people filing false claims against New York City," Thompson
says in the 30-second television ad. The radio ad runs one minute.
More than $600 million was paid out by the city in settlements and
judgments in 2001, according to Scott Taffet, a spokesman for the
comptroller's office. Taffett added that according to the most recent
study -- from 1997 by auditors Pricewaterhouse Coopers -- 10 percent of
lawsuits filed against the city are fraudulent.
A claims fraud task force has been created to help develop fraud cases and
a director of investigations has been hired to oversee the process.
Information given through the tip line (212-669-4747) and e-mail address (claimfraud@comptroller.nyc.gov)
will be confidential. The ads are airing on television and radio stations
in New York City.
Source: CNN, "Big Apple seeks tattletale neighbors to reduce
lawsuits," June 17, 2003.
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