New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says some lawyers for Long Island school districts are guilty of defrauding the state pension system, and has launched an investigation.

Cuomo says taxpayers have picked up the tab for such fraud for decades. He is investigating several school districts for dealings with outside attorneys, who have been illegally collecting state pensions and benefits. Cuomo asserts school officials intentionally changed the attorneys? classification so they could receive those benefits, thereby defrauding the system.

Lindenhurst Union Free School District Superintendent Neil Lederer says the allegations hurt the public?s perception of Long Island school districts. Lederer also says he doubts any defrauding was done knowingly.

?The superintendents I know are very hard working people?and would not be involved in anything fraudulent or illegal,? Lederer says.

Cuomo is also investigating local governments for fraud against the state pension system.

Click for more on Cuomo?s investigation of municipal governments