Atlanta, GA – A new study by researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that close to 47% of workers have access to workplace health promotion programs, and among those with access, only 58% of workers take advantage of them. The study was recently published in the American Journal of… [Read more]
Work Force & Human Resource News
CA Police Dispatcher Charged with Insurance Fraud
Santa Clara, CA – The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office recently announced that a San Jose police dispatcher has been charged with fraudulently pocketing more than $84,000 in Disability Insurance money after she returned to work after a non-work related disability. Wendy Vaccaro officially left work and began receiving payments in early 2017. She… [Read more]
Optum Wellness Study Finds More Employers Planning to Increase Investments
Eden Prairie, MN – More than 80% of employers said they are planning to increase their health and wellness budgets this year, more than double compared to 2009 (34%), according to the 10th annual Optum Wellness in the Workplace study. The study also found that employers are increasingly embracing digital technology to engage workers in… [Read more]
NCDOI Launches First Criminal Investigations Reserve Unit to Fight Fraud
Raleigh, NC – North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey recently organized its first Criminal Investigations Reserve Unit to combat the extensive number of fraud cases in the state. The new inductees, four veteran law enforcement personnel, were sworn-in at a ceremony at the Albemarle Building in Raleigh. “Today’s ceremony is a testament to the character… [Read more]
NY State Correction Officer Pleads Guilty, Resigns for Stealing Workers’ Comp Benefits
Buffalo, NY – New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro recently announced the guilty plea and resignation of a New York State correction officer for defrauding the workers’ compensation system and, through the submission of forged workers’ compensation leave documents, stealing more than $6,400 in benefits to which he was not entitled. Thomas Smart, Jr.… [Read more]
FL CFO Patronis Announces $737,000 Workers’ Comp Fraud Arrest in Miami
Miami, FL – Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis recently announced the arrest of Norma Lopez Cedillo, the President of Nuvo Contractor, Inc., for workers’ compensation fraud. Over a more than six-month period, Cedillo allegedly evaded paying nearly $737,000 in workers’ compensation insurance premiums. The company allegedly conducted more than $5.5 million in business… [Read more]
Empire Underwriters Announces Expansion of Workers’ Comp Offerings in New Industries
Tampa, FL – Empire Underwriters, a National Insurance Wholesaler, Excess and Surplus Lines facility and Program Manager recently announced the release of their new Workers Comp Program for Truckers, Tow Truck Operators, and Delivery Companies backed by several “A” rated carriers. “We are excited about our continued expansion into the Trucking Industry. We have already… [Read more]
CA Roofer Owing $1 Million in Workers’ Comp Premiums Sentenced to One Year in Custody
Ventura, CA – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten recently announced that Paul Ronald Payne of Simi Valley was sentenced to 365 days in the Ventura County jail and ordered to pay $1,058,058 in restitution to the State Compensation Insurance Fund for underreporting payroll and failing to pay workers’ compensation insurance premiums. Payne operated a roofing… [Read more]
Three FL Men Indicted in Illegal Employment Scheme, Payroll Tax & Workers’ Comp Evasion
Jacksonville, FL – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez recently announced announced the return of an indictment charging three Honduran nationals, Gregorio Fuentes-Zelaya, Santiago Erazo-Zelaya, and Dennis Barahona with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Fuentes-Zelaya is also charged with one count of conspiracy to commit tax fraud, five counts of wire fraud, and two counts… [Read more]
CA School Bus Driver Convicted of Workers’ Comp Fraud
San Mateo County, CA – Rick Rossi, a full-time school bus driver employed with Cabrillo Unified School District, has been convicted of two felony counts of insurance fraud and was sentenced to three years of felony probation. Rossi was ordered 60 days in county jail to start no later than Sept. 14, 2019, and ordered… [Read more]