Cooperative Disabilities Investigation Unit - Washington State Patrol

skip to left menu

skip to main content

Web Page Content Table
About Us Crime & Safety Driver & Vehicle Employment News & Information Outreach Publications State Fire Marshal Contact Us FAQ Page A-Z Index Links Mission WSP Home
Enter search keywords: Click to submit search: Section Menu Expand All \| Collapse All Crime & Safety Overview Aggressive Driving AMBER Alert Center Criminal History Records Emergency Information Fuel Tax Evasion Homeland Security License Fraud Marijuana Hotline Missing Persons Programs & Partnerships WSP's Most Wanted Forensic Lab Services Bureau Overview Crime Lab Division Forensic Services Library Web DMS-Breath Test Investigative Services Bureau Overview Accicent Investigation Auto Theft Program Crime Scene Response Criminal Investigations Investigative Assistance Special Operations VIN Inspections	investigation · Cooperative Disabilities Investigation Background . . . The Cooperative Disabilities Investigation Unit (CDI) began in 1998. The program consists of 18 CDI Units (CDIU) nationwide, whose mission is to obtain evidence of material fact sufficient to resolve questions of fraud in Social Security Administration SSA’s disability programs. This supports the Agency’s strategic goal of ensuring the integrity of Social Security programs, with zero tolerance for fraud. Since 1998, CDI Units have been established in Atlanta, GA; Baton Rouge, LA; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Iselin, NJ; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; Oakland, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Richmond, VA; Salem, OR; Seattle, WA; St. Louis, MO; Tampa, FL; Denver, CO; to combat Social Security fraud. Seattle is one of the newer CDI Units established in the program. Authorized in March of 2002, the Unit began operations in December 2002, with employees from the Washington Disability Determination Services (DDS) and the Washington State Patrol staffing the unit. During the first full calendar year of operations (2003), the Seattle Unit has proven itself as one of the most successful units in the nation. The Seattle Unit finished 2003 ranked as the fifth best Unit among the 18 existing Units nationwide. The Unit finished first in the nation for the month of January 2004. CDIU Purpose Facilitating timely and accurate decisions made by the DDS, by gathering evidence to support or refute suspicious claims, and prosecuting individuals and/or groups who knowingly facilitate and/or promote fraudulent disability claims. Unreported Work Activity Anonymous Tips > Obtain specifics; place of work or information on others who may know about the work. Repeat Offenders > Patterns of seasonal work or several months of work with no recent medical review. Claimant’s Appearance > Things being out of place with one’s personal appearance and/or one’s personal property (logos on vehicles). CDIU Focus The majority of referrals to the CDIU are from DDS employees spotting irregularities while processing claims and continuing disability reviews (CDRs). However, the CDIU will accept referrals from anyone and/or source of information. In a partnership with SSA, Washington State Patrol detectives conduct the investigative portion of the case, while DDS analysts develop documentation to support or refute the legitimacy of the claim. The OIG for the SSA supervises the activities of the CDIU and ensures appropriate action is taken on each claim in question. If sufficient information and evidence is obtained, the case is presented to either a US Attorney or a local District Attorney for prosecution. If a referral does not warrant a criminal charge, civil or administrative remedies may be pursued. Who to Contact When You See It WSP Sergeant Jerry Schlesser (360) 753-0315 x 110 OIG Special Agent Laura DeGiglio (206) 553-0999 x 115 Fax: (206) 553-0013 E-mail Laura.DeGiglio@SSA.Gov Gerald.Schlesser@wsp.wa.gov Back to Top	Quick Links CDIU Purpose CDIU Focus Who to Contact When You See I