Columbus, OH – Gregory Barnett, of Huron (Erie County), pleaded guilty Feb. 4 in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas and was sentenced on one count of workers’ compensation fraud, a first-degree misdemeanor. He agreed to repay $1,125 in restitution.
BWC received a tip on its fraud hotline that Barnett was working while receiving BWC benefits. Investigators reviewed records and conducted interviews, and confirmed that Barnett returned to work as a self-employed home contractor in 2013 while receiving temporary total disability benefits. Injured workers are not permitted to work while receiving this type of benefit.
In addition to restitution, Barnett was sentenced to 11 days in jail, and was given credit for all days, which were previously served.
Source: Ohio BWC SID