Fresno, CA – The California Department of Insurance recently announced that Carolyn Plaza of Fresno self-surrendered on May 6, 2021, after a warrant for her arrest was issued on six felony counts of insurance fraud. A complaint filed on April 16, 2021, alleges Plaza underreported more than $3 million in employee payroll in order to… [Read more]
Work Force & Human Resource News
US DOL Awards $103M to Five State for Strategies to Keep Ill, Injured Workers in Workforce
Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced the award of five grants totaling more than $103 million to five state agencies to continue and expand pilot projects to help newly injured and ill workers remain in the workforce. Agencies in Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio and Vermont will receive funds to begin the… [Read more]
CA Construction Firm Owner Pleads to Workers’ Comp Fraud
Santa Clara, CA – The owner of a large Bay Area construction firm, admitted to committing felony workers’ compensation insurance fraud after years of firing employees when they requested medical treatment for work-related injuries. Between 2016 and 2019, Man Tat Szeto of San Ramon avoided approximately $86,000 in premium payments to his insurer by underreporting… [Read more]
Ohio Nurse Convicted of Workers’ Comp Fraud, Ordered to Pay BWC $23K in Restitution
Columbus, OH – A Cleveland-area nurse was recently ordered to pay the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) more than $23,000 in restitution April 7 after BWC discovered her working while collecting injured-worker benefits. A Franklin County judge ordered Tanya Houston, 46, of Shaker Heights to pay $23,489 to BWC and serve five years of… [Read more]
Undercover Operation Leads to Workers’ Comp Fraud Conviction of CA Rice Mill Worker
Sacramento, CA – Brooke Gomez of Maxwell, was recently convicted and sentenced on one misdemeanor count of workers’ compensation insurance fraud after she claimed to be too injured to work in order to collect workers’ compensation benefits while working for another employer. Gomez pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge and was sentenced in Colusa… [Read more]
WA L&I: COVID-19 Victims Among Fallen Workers to be Honored in April 28 Ceremony
Tumwater, WA – Coronavirus (COVID-19) played a significant role in the increase in work-related deaths in Washington last year. Two dozen COVID-19 fatalities were among more than 100 Washington workers who died on the job or in connection with their work in 2020. Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) claim records show 24 people… [Read more]
MN Governor Walz Signs Bill Extending COVID-19 WC Presumption for Front Line Workers
St. Paul, MN – Governor Tim Walz recently signed Chapter 12, HF 2253 into law, extending workers’ compensation eligibility for emergency first responders and front-line workers, which was set to expire May 1, 2021. The bill ensures that front-line workers, including doctors and nurses, firefighters, paramedics, police, long-term care workers, home health workers, correctional officers,… [Read more]
CA Welder Arraigned on Felony Workers’ Compensation Fraud Charges
Sacramento, CA – Ahmad Zaki Noori of Sacramento was recently arraigned on two felony counts of workers’ compensation insurance fraud after allegedly misrepresenting symptoms following a work-related injury in order to receive $21,000 in undeserved benefits. On July 16, 2019, Noori, while working as a welder, sustained a head injury and contusions on multiple parts… [Read more]
CA Farm Worker’s Medical Mistreatment Reveals Alleged $1.4 Million Workers’ Comp Fraud Scheme
Monterey, CA – Farm labor company owners and siblings Elias Perez of Greenfield, and Alejandra Perez of Soledad, were arraigned on over 20 felony counts of insurance and tax fraud after allegedly underreporting payroll by over $17 million resulting in a loss of over $1.42 million to their insurance companies. The Department of Insurance discovered… [Read more]
MEMIC Now Accepting Applications for Scholarship for Families of Injured Workers
Portland, ME – The MEMIC Group recently announced that it is now accepting applications for its Harvey Picker Horizon Scholarship Program for children and spouses of workers who have been seriously injured on the job. MEMIC has awarded $210,000 in scholarships since 2001. As one of the fastest growing workers’ compensation insurers with eight offices… [Read more]