Crystal Posey was found guilty of one count of workers’ compensation fraud and must pay back $30,278.61 to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). BWC’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) found Crystal Posey began working as an office manager for a chiropractic clinic in 2015 and was still employed at the end of the investigation. Evidence collected proved Posey knowingly, and with fraudulent intent, worked while simultaneously collecting BWC disability benefits to which she was not entitled.
Posey pleaded guilty to one count of workers’ compensation fraud, a fifth-degree felony. Posey was sentenced to eight months incarceration, suspended, and placed on non-reporting probation for five years. Should Posey violate the terms of her probation, she will be subject to a suspended sentence of eight months in jail.
“Our Special Investigations Department continues to do a fantastic job,” Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud said. “By shutting down fraud, this team helps ensure the funds are there for Ohio’s injured workers and employers.”
In other news:
Jason Strzala, dba Goodfellas Plumbing and Drain Inc
The Special Investigations Department received a referral from the BWC Employer Compliance Department after Jason Strzala, owner of Goodfellas Plumbing and Drain, failed to cooperate with the compliance officer and continued to operate without BWC coverage. The Employer Fraud Team made further attempts to assist Strzala with reinstating the policy; however, he failed to take the steps necessary to reinstate coverage on the policy.
On September 1, 2021, Strzala pleaded no contest and was found guilty in Parma Municipal Court on two (2) counts of failure to comply, both second-degree misdemeanors. Strzala was sentenced to 60 days in jail, suspended.
Jennifer Soich-Zecher
The Special Investigations Department received an anonymous call to report Jennifer Soich-Zecher working while concurrently receiving BWC benefits.
The Northeast Region SIU’s investigation found Soich-Zecher was employed as a cashier and customer service associate with Walmart and Dollar Tree while collecting BWC disability benefits. The investigation identified that Soich-Zecher worked and received benefits between February and August 2019 and confirmed that she knowingly and with fraudulent intent was working while collecting BWC disability benefits to which she was not entitled.
On September 9, 2021, Jennifer Soich-Zecher pleaded guilty in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to one count of workers’ compensation fraud, a first-degree misdemeanor. Soich-Zecher was sentenced to five years community control, 180 days jail (suspended) and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,191.45.
Davida Taylor
The Special Investigations Department opened an investigation after it identified Davida Taylor potentially earned wages during time periods she had received BWC disability benefits.
The Northeast Region SIU’s investigation found Taylor maintained employment as a Clinical Technician/Patient Care Nurse Assistant with the Cleveland Clinic while concurrently collecting BWC disability benefits. The investigation identified that Taylor worked and received benefits between March and August 2019.
Davida Taylor pleaded guilty in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to one count of workers’ compensation fraud, a fifth-degree felony. Taylor was sentenced to non-reporting probation for four years and ordered to pay restitution of $12,206.16 to the BWC. If Taylor violates the terms of her probation, she is subject to a suspended sentence of nine months in jail.
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