Ohio BWC Cracks Down on Attempts to Obtain Dangerous Drugs

Eight individuals were recently convicted of or pleaded guilty to charges related to defrauding Ohio’s workers compensation system. according to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC).

Cecil Webb pleaded guilty to 11 felony counts of deception to obtain a dangerous drug and one first degree misdemeanor count of workers comp fraud. (WCxKit)

Robert Black, DBA Mallard Home Services, pleaded guilty to workers comp fraud for operating his business without coverage. Agents interviewed Black, who indicated the altered certificate was a clerical error on his part, and then admitted to operating a business while his business’ coverage was in final cancel status and submitting false payroll and other information to BWC.

Dr. John Esarco, DC pleaded guilty to workers comp fraud for billing for services not rendered. The investigation found Esarco was billing for exercise therapy, a service which he did not perform.

George Seiber pleaded guilty to working while receiving benefits. Seiber owned and operated Roofer Inc.com while receiving temporary total disability benefits.

Dana Fordenwalt, owner of Twin Peaks Roofing, pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors for failure to comply with the law for underpaying his workers comp and misrepresenting the number of workers employed by his business. (WCxKit)

BWC Administrator/CEO Stephen Buehrer noted “Eight more convictions during the month of August are the result of close monitoring of suspicious activity by our investigators and detailed follow-up on allegations of fraud. Their diligence helps to protect the State Insurance Fund on behalf of Ohio injured workers and employers.”