Story Archive

Criminal Disability

Joseph Derrico was allowed to resign from the Hamilton, N.J., Police Dept. after being indicted on a charge of receiving stolen property. A criminal case was never filed, and Derrico applied for — and was granted — a $70,000 disability retirement. Later, he appeared in the reality TV show Bear Swamp Recovery, a show that included segments about repo men. Some of the clips were posted on the Internet showing Derrico grappling, wrestling, and running after a monster truck. “When this first came out, we had him re-evaluated,” Sgt. John Sierchio said. “People see this type of fraud, and it really opens up their eyes.” Doctors determined that his disability no longer existed. Since Derrico resigned from the force, “We don’t have to take him back,” a city administrator says, “but he doesn’t have a pension anymore.” (MS/Trenton Times) ...At least he has his great new TV career to fall back on.