Columbus, OH – David Morinello, of Cleveland (Cuyahoga County), pleaded guilty April 2 in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to workers’ compensation fraud, a fifth-degree felony. He provided the court with a cashier’s check for $8,898.09, the entire amount of restitution.
A confidential source contacted BWC’s Northeast Regional Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to report that Morinello was working while receiving temporary total disability benefits. Injured workers are not permitted to work while receiving this type of benefit. The SIU obtained documented evidence to support the allegation, and determined that Morinello worked for an outdoor lighting business as well as his own outdoor lighting and design business while receiving temporary total benefits.
Morinello was fined $100 and ordered to pay court costs by June 20. He will be placed on probation if he does not pay.
Source: Ohio BWC SID