Columbus, OH – Laurie Nesit, of Akron (Summit County), pleaded guilty June 8 in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to one count of workers’ compensation fraud, a fifth-degree felony.
BWC became aware through a data cross-match with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services that Nesit received wages while also receiving temporary total disability benefits from BWC. Claimants are not permitted to work while receiving this type of benefit.
Investigators found that Nesit returned to work as an inspector for two businesses from April to May 2013, and from July 2013 to January 2014 while receiving the benefits. In August 2014, an Industrial Commission hearing officer issued an order finding an overpayment of BWC benefits for those time periods. The hearing officer also issued a finding of fraud relative to the declared overpayment.
Nesit was sentenced to serve 11 months in jail, which was suspended for five years of community control. She was ordered to pay $23,847 in restitution to BWC and ordered to maintain employment.
Source: Ohio BWC SID