By Yepoka Yeebo
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — The NYPD has suspended or revoked two dozen pistol licenses granted to retired cops implicated in a federal corruption investigation, the New York Post revealed.
The investigation was sparked when Social Security investigators noticed droves of retired cops filing mental disability claims after getting gun permits. Retired cops applying gun permits have to swear they're not on medication for mental problems, the Post reported.
Authorities are investigating lawyers and psychiatrists to find out how they may have helped former cops pretend to be mentally ill to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
Gerold E. Levine, an attorney who helps cops get gun licenses said he is helping a retired cop who is trying to get his license back after a fraudulent Social Security claim was made without the cops knowledge. After filing a claim for a bad back, the lawyer said the cop was given benefits for the bad back, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
"He's extraordinarily angry at what happened to him," Levine told the Post. "I presented an argument at the licensing hearing that what happened here is that the lawyer spiced up the application."
