Rocky Hill, CT – A Woodbridge man was recently arrested and charged with illegally collecting more than $30,000 in Workers’ Compensation benefits while he was working for another company.
Michael Steinfeld was arrested by Inspectors from the Workers Compensation Fraud Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney on an arrest warrant charging him with one count of Fraudulent Claim or Receipt of Benefits.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Steinfeld collected approximately $30,454 in temporary disability benefits after he reported suffering a work-related injury on October 1, 2012, while employed by a Seymour paving contractor.
Subsequent investigation found that Steinfeld was working for another company and was paid $125,500 in wages at the same time he was collecting the Workers’ Compensation benefits, the warrant states. Temporary total disability benefits are wage replacement benefits paid to an injured worker unable to perform any type of work due to a work-related injury.
Steinfeld was released on a written promise to appear in Derby Superior Court, G.A. No. 5, on November 27, 2017. The charge is merely an accusation and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Fraudulent Claim or Receipt of Benefits is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $15,000. The case will be prosecuted by the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit.
Source: CT CSAO