Accuse School Psychologist Of Phantom Cases

By HOWARD MEGDAL

A School Psychologist working with the Department of Education submitted 26 falsified Bilingual Psycho Educational Assessment Reports, collecting more than $10,000 on them, according to a report released by Special Commissioner of Investigation Richard J. Condon.

According to Mr. Condon, Edgar LaLuz first came under suspicion when a report he submitted for a Lehman High School student came to the attention of that student, who said she had never been tested. Further investigation revealed Mr. LaLuz had submitted forms claiming that he had completed nine separate evaluations on the same day. The students cited in the report had never heard of Mr. LaLuz.

Imaginary Clients

The Psychologist admitted in an e-mail to investigators that he'd tested just 10 of the 36 students he submitted reports for, Mr. Condon said.

The SCI recommended that Mr. LaLuz be made ineligible to work for the city in any capacity, and forwarded his report to the Bronx County District Attorney, the city's Office for Legal Services, and the State Education Department.

A spokesman for DOE said, "This fraudulent behavior is completely unacceptable. We will follow the Special Commissioner's recommendations, and Mr. LaLuz will not work in a DOE facility again." The department's vendor fired him when it became aware of the allegations.