Two northeast Ohio businessmen must pay the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) nearly $1.3 million in restitution following their recent convictions on multiple fraud charges in separate, unrelated cases. “We look forward to recouping these dollars and directing them where they belong — taking care of injured workers, creating safe workplaces, and giving employers … Continue reading Northeast Ohio business owners owe BWC nearly $1.3 million following fraud convictions
Fraud
Cincinnati caterer convicted of workers’ comp fraud
Woman ran catering business while collecting disability benefits A Cincinnati woman claiming to be permanently disabled from work owes the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) nearly $41,000 after her felony conviction Oct. 24 for workers’ compensation fraud. Michelle D. Smith, 57, pleaded guilty to the fifth-degree felony in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court … Continue reading Cincinnati caterer convicted of workers’ comp fraud
Nearly $1 million owed BWC in employer fraud case
Cleveland-area business owner convicted of fraud Monday A northeast Ohio business owner owes the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation nearly $1 million in restitution following his conviction Monday in Cleveland on workers’ compensation fraud charges. Robert E. Fitz, an attorney and owner of Action Maids residential cleaning company in Westlake, Ohio, pleaded guilty to a … Continue reading Nearly $1 million owed BWC in employer fraud case
Special investigations department concludes FY 2019 with impressive results
By Jim Wernecke, Director, BWC Special Investigations Department It’s getting harder and harder for the criminally minded to rip off BWC and the State Insurance Fund and get away with it. That was the message I took to BWC’s board of directors Thursday afternoon when I presented the board with the Special Investigations Department’s annual … Continue reading Special investigations department concludes FY 2019 with impressive results
Former deputy sheriff owes BWC $235K for workers’ comp fraud
Zanesville man earns felon status after Monday’s conviction A Zanesville man and former county deputy sheriff must reimburse the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation nearly $235,000 in restitution following his felony conviction for workers’ compensation fraud Monday in a Franklin County courtroom. A judge ordered Gregory A. Fitzer, 56, to pay BWC $211,536 in restitution … Continue reading Former deputy sheriff owes BWC $235K for workers’ comp fraud
Ohio trucker, others convicted of workers’ comp fraud
Marysville man kept truckin’ while collecting disability benefits A Marysville truck driver was convicted of workers’ compensation fraud Wednesday after the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation discovered he continued to work while collecting BWC benefits for a workplace injury he suffered more than a decade ago. Everett Ferryman, 46, pleaded guilty in a Franklin County … Continue reading Ohio trucker, others convicted of workers’ comp fraud
BWC reports 4 fraud-related convictions in June
Four Ohioans were convicted for workers’ compensation fraud or related charges in June, including a Springfield man who must reimburse the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) more than $13,000 after investigators found him working two jobs while collecting disability benefits. Clark A. Howard pleaded guilty June 18 to a fifth-degree felony count of workers’ … Continue reading BWC reports 4 fraud-related convictions in June
Toledo contractor owes BWC $57K following fraud conviction
Lapsed policy, refusal to cooperate costs Holland man By Tony Gottschlich, BWC Public Information Officer A Toledo-area contractor owes the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) nearly $57,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to workers’ compensation fraud in a Toledo courtroom last month. Eric L. Hughes, 53, of Holland, pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree felony … Continue reading Toledo contractor owes BWC $57K following fraud conviction
BWC secures six convictions in May
Five Ohio workers and one business owner were convicted in May on workers’ compensation fraud and related charges. The six convictions raise BWC’s total convictions for the 2019 calendar year to 38. “When people cheat the BWC system, they are cheating the employers and hard-working Ohioans across this state who play by the rules,” said … Continue reading BWC secures six convictions in May
BWC secures 7 fraud convictions in April
Fraudsters ordered to pay BWC nearly $107,000 in restitution The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation secured seven fraud convictions in April, all workers who were discovered working for a living while collecting disability benefits from the agency. Those convicted were ordered to pay BWC a combined total of $106,995 in restitution. “We look forward to … Continue reading BWC secures 7 fraud convictions in April
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