Palmer has seen the damage COVID can cause in someone with 9/11-related illnesses.
Palmer said a friend who was part of the NYPD Emergency Services Unit is still recovering after his battle with COVID-19 that landed him on a ventilator.
“Don’t you think these guys have been through enough already?” Palmer said. “All we do is fight for something we shouldn’t have to fight for.”
9/11 illnesses up COVID risk factors
Cancer and respiratory ailments are the most common illnesses among the 9/11 community, which includes first responders who were part of the rescue and recovery missions involving the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The community at risk for illness from toxic exposure also includes the office workers, students and residents who were in Lower Manhattan that day and in the weeks after.
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UpdatedSat, Jan 9, 2021 at 2:13 pm ET
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Sally Spinosa, 55, faces federal charges including fraud, identity theft and making false claims to receive benefits from a victims fund. (Shutterstock)
FREEHOLD, NJ - A Freehold woman was charged in Manhattan federal court this week for reportedly overstating the amount of time she spent on recovery efforts after the Sept. 11 attacks, according to the U.S. Attorney of the Southern District of New York.
Sally Spinosa, 55, was charged Thursday with two counts of making false claims for monetary awards and medical benefits. She was also charged with one count of aggravated identity theft for submitting a fraudulent affidavit in connection with a benefits application.
Ex-NYPD sergeant on Staten Island scammed 9/11 benefits funds, allege feds
Updated Jan 07, 2021;
Posted Jan 07, 2021
The defendant lied about the time she worked at the 9/11 recovery site at the Fresh Kills landfill, seen in this Sept. 18, 2001 photo, allege prosecutors.
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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. An ex-Police Department sergeant lied about the time she worked at the 9/11 terrorist attacks recovery site at the former Fresh Kills landfill to illegally obtain victims’ benefits, authorities said Thursday.
Sally Spinosa, 55, of Freehold, N.J, was charged with single counts of submitting false claims, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, said officials.
The 33-year NYPD veteran surrendered to authorities and was scheduled to be arraigned later in Manhattan federal court.
Updated on January 7, 2021 at 1:31 pm
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A former NYPD sergeant faces federal charges of wire fraud, making false claims, and identity theft in connection with her alleged attempt to receive compensation from several federal 9/11 benefits programs, prosecutors say.
Sally Spinosa, 55, of Freehold, New Jersey was an NYPD officer from 1986 to 2019 and was a sergeant in the investigations unit of the NYPD’s Patrol Services Bureau of Staten Island.
Spinosa faces more than 25 years in prison if convicted. She will appear in federal court in Manhattan via teleconference later Thursday.
A former NYPD sergeant faces federal charges of wire fraud, making false claims, and identity theft in connection with her alleged attempt to receive compensation from several federal 9/11 benefits programs, prosecutors say.