Boston, MA – Attorney General Maura Healey recently announced the owner of two Stoughton-based companies has been indicted on charges of workers’ compensation fraud in connection with making misleading statements during audits of his workers’ compensation policies and failing to disclose the true size of his company payrolls.
Manuel DeSousa, age 65, of Avon, was the sole owner of Enserv, Inc., a cleaning company, and president of Templink, Inc., a temporary employment agency. DeSousa was indicted today by a Norfolk Grand Jury on charges of Workers’ Compensation Fraud (2 counts) and Larceny Over $250 (1 count). The arraignment is scheduled for a later date at Norfolk Superior Court.
“We allege that to avoid paying workers’ compensation premiums, this defendant misled auditors and failed to disclose the true size of his companies,” said AG Healey.
Authorities allege that by making misleading statements during audits and failing to disclose the true size of the payrolls at his companies, DeSousa avoided paying approximately $40,000 in workers’ compensation insurance premiums.
This investigation was referred to the Attorney General’s Office by the state’s Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB).
“This joint effort illustrates the commitment of both the Insurance Fraud Bureau and AG Healey’s office in fighting this type of insurance fraud,” said Anthony M. DiPaolo, Chief of Investigations at the Insurance Fraud Bureau. “Workers’ compensation premium evasion places a financial drain on that system. “
These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
AG Healey’s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Unit works to protect consumers and the integrity of the insurance system by investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against all types of insurers, including the Commonwealth’s unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation systems.
This case was handled by Assistant Attorney General Gabriel Thornton and Senior Investigator Philip Mantyla of AG Healey’s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Unit with assistance from investigators from the Insurance Fraud Bureau.
Source: MA AG’s Office