Columbus, OH – A Cincinnati woman claiming to be permanently disabled from work owes the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) nearly $41,000 after her felony conviction Oct. 24 for workers’ compensation fraud. Michelle D. Smith pleaded guilty to the fifth-degree felony in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court after BWC discovered she owned and… [Read more]
Work Force & Human Resource News
NSC: No Level of Cannabis Use Acceptable for Those Working in Safety Sensitive Positions
Itasca, IL – Recognizing that safety concerns are paramount as decriminalization of cannabis continues in states throughout the U.S., the National Safety Council recently called on employers to restrict cannabis use for those in safety sensitive positions – regardless of whether cannabis consumption is allowed by their state. In a new policy position, NSC defines… [Read more]
Owner of CA Vocational School Charged with Workers’ Comp Fraud
Santa Clara, CA – The owner of a Campbell vocational training school has been charged with a kickback scheme where he illegally diverted more than $650,000 in workers’ compensation insurance money without training injured students trying to get back into the workplace. Officials estimate that out of about 100 cases, two students of Rashad Said’s… [Read more]
CA Roofer Arrested for Workers’ Comp Fraud
Sacramento, CA – Herbert Allen Kelly III of Rancho Murieta, owner of Kelly Roofing Company, was recently arrested on six felony counts of workers’ compensation fraud after allegedly underreporting his business’ payroll and number of employees resulting in a loss to his insurer of $50,000. “When business owners operate in the underground economy, they are… [Read more]
Ohio Governor, BWC Announce Coverage of Drug Disposal Bags for Opioid Prescriptions
Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud, and RecoveryOhio Director Alisha Nelson recently announced a new, statewide effort to prevent opioid diversion and addiction in situations where an injured worker is prescribed opioids as part of a BWC claim. Starting November 1, injured workers receiving an… [Read more]
MT Motocross Racer Convicted of Workers’ Comp Fraud
Helena, MT – Montana Attorney General Tim Fox recently announced that a Three Forks man charged with fraudulently collecting workers’ compensation benefits from the Montana State Fund has pled guilty. Antony H. Caruana pled guilty in District Court in Helena on October 16 to one count of theft related to fraudulently filing a workers’ compensation… [Read more]
VT Governor Scott Highlights Work to Reduce Injuries & Workers’ Comp Costs in Logging Sector
Montpelier, VT – Governor Phil Scott and representatives from the Department of Financial Regulation (DFR), Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) and the Department of Labor (DOL) recently highlighted progress on the new Vermont Logger Safety and Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program, including a 15% workers’ compensation premium credit. “Innovative programs like the Vermont Logger… [Read more]
NY Mechanic Pleads Guilty to Workers’ Comp Fraud for Working While Receiving Benefits
Albany, NY – New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro recently announced the guilty plea of a Waterford mechanic who defrauded the Workers’ Compensation system and stole benefits to which he was not entitled by claiming he was not working due to an injury when he was actually working for a used car dealership in… [Read more]
Samuel Hale Joins CA Employer’s Fraud Task Force
Folsom, CA – Samuel Hale, LLC has joined the California-based organization, Employer’s Fraud Task Force to bring anti-fraud tools, solutions and resources to California employers. Workers’ compensation fraud is a big business, costing our nation $30 billion each year, according to estimates by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). California work comp fraud is estimated… [Read more]
Former MN Postal Worker Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $100,000 in Workers’ Comp Benefits
St. Paul, MN – United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald recently announced the guilty plea of Lisa Ann Schafer for stealing $108,490.47 in federal disability benefits. Schafer, who was charged via felony information on September 24, 2019, entered her guilty plea before Judge Eric C. Tostrud in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. According… [Read more]