A Long Island corrections officer is facing serious charges after allegedly stealing over $110,000 in insurance checks meant for his estranged wife’s back surgery. Christopher Kowalewski, 49, from Merrick, is accused of taking 11 reimbursement checks from his wife’s New York State Empire Plan, with amounts ranging from $92,488 to $147, and using the money for personal expenses. Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly revealed the details of the alleged theft.
According to authorities, Kowalewski cashed two of the checks and deposited the remaining nine into a joint bank account he shared with another individual. The exact nature of the personal expenses he used the money for remains unclear. The scheme reportedly lasted from December 2021 to December 2023, with United Healthcare, the administrator of the Empire Plan, sending the funds during this period.
The suspect was able to pull off the theft because he was the policyholder for his wife’s medical account, and the out-of-network checks were made out to him. Donnelly expressed disappointment in the actions of a public servant, stating that such behavior undermines the trust placed in individuals to do the right thing.
Kowalewski now faces second-degree grand larceny charges, which could result in a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 3 to address the allegations against him. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards, especially for those in positions of public trust.
