Columbus, OH – Jason O. Klein of Coshocton (Coshocton County) pleaded guilty to workers’ compensation fraud after the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) received two complaints about him on its anonymous fraud hotline. Klein appeared before Judge Pollitt in the Franklin County Municipal Court and was ordered to repay $2,040 for operating his own business while he was supposed to be recovering from a workplace injury.
“The fact that BWC received two separate tips on Mr. Klein’s activity provides evidence not only that many people won’t sit by idly and allow cheating,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer. “BWC’s fraud hotline is a convenient way to anonymously help us uncover fraud that siphons employer premium dollars away from the care of those who legitimately need assistance following a workplace injury.”
BWC received a tip on its fraud hotline indicating Klein was selling equipment for natural gas pumps while he was supposed to be off work recovering from a workplace injury. A second caller alleged Klein was operating his own business called KBI Services and was hauling water, plowing snow and performing natural gas conversions.
Agents with BWC’s Special Investigations Department (SID) opened an investigation. A review of bank records and interviews with witnesses confirmed that Klein knowingly owned and operated KBI Services during periods he received Temporary Total and Living Maintenance compensation. An injured worker cannot work and receive these payments.
Klein pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of workers’ compensation fraud and was ordered to pay $2,040 in restitution and court costs of $250. He also received a ten day suspended jail sentence.
Source: Ohio BWC SID