What do an Interior Designer and Tattoo Parlor Owner Have in Common?

1-Interior Designer Done In by TV –False Disability Claim Discovered

Sometimes too much exposure can hurt you as a California interior designer discovered after appearing on a home and garden television program. An employee of the insurance company paying the man’s disability benefits saw him on TV and reported him to the state Department of Insurance. The state’s Franchise Tax Board says the man falsely claimed he was disabled for three years and collected nearly $150,000 in benefits, while earning approximately $400,000 in income as an interior designer. (workersxzcompxzkit)

The Los Angeles resident pled guilty to two felony counts of fraud, according to authorities, and was sentenced to 200 hours of community service and ordered to pay more than $180,000 in restitution, unpaid taxes and fines.

2-New York Tattoo Parlor Owner Inked for Alleged Fraud

Authorities in New York charged the owner of a Madison Avenue tattoo parlor with a pair of felonies for allegedly continuing to ink customers after he swore to the state Insurance Fund his hand was in too much pain to work. The Poestenkill man was arrested and charged with insurance fraud and falsifying business records, both of which are felonies.

The owner of the shop allegedly collected $2,200 in workers’ compensation benefits while he kept up his artistry at his shop, according to the Insurance Fund.

In an interview, the defendant said the Insurance Fund was mistaken and confused the date when he opened his shop with the dates when he was actually working there. The man claims he initially opened the shop approximately a year ago after 17 years as a union roofer took a toll on one of his arms, leading him to have three separate surgeries, leaving him in pain and unable to work. (workersxzcompxzkit)

The Insurance Fund said discovery of the alleged fraud saved the fund up to $139,415 over the projected life of the claim.

Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.