Massachusetts Workers Comp Fraud Charges

Trying to reportedly scam the workers compensation system in their state, a pair of Massachusetts individuals have been charged in with workers comp fraud from illegally collecting benefits while continuing to work,

According to Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office, Medgine Dufrene, 28, of Mattapan, is charged with Workers Compensation Fraud and Larceny Over $250. According to authorities Dufrene suffered a work related injury and began receiving temporary total disability benefits through her insurer in June 2011 and subsequently certified that she was not working. In January 2012, Dufrene’s insurer learned that she was allegedly working for another employer while collecting benefits.

Pair Allegedly Obtained More Than $11K in Temporary Benefits

Authorities allege that between June 2011 and January 2012, Dufrene fraudulently received more than $7,000 in temporary total disability benefits while continuing to be employed.

Michael McLaughlin, 49, of Hull, is charged with Workers Compensation Fraud and Larceny Over $250. According to authorities McLaughlin suffered a work related injury and began receiving temporary total disability benefits through his insurer in February 2010 and subsequently certified that he was not working. In June 2010, both McLaughlin’s insurer and the IFB came across tips that he was in fact working.

According to authorities, between July 2010 and October 2010, McLaughlin fraudulently obtained more than $4,000 in temporary total disability benefits while continuing to be employed.

District Court complaints were filed against Dufrene in Boston Municipal Court and against McLaughlin in Hingham District Court. Dufrene was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court where she pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance. She is scheduled for a pretrial conference March 27.

McLaughlin was arraigned in Hingham District Court where he pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance. He is slated for a pretrial conference March 20.

Author Michael B. Stack, CPA, Director of Operations, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in employer communication systems and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. He is a writer, speaker, and website publisher. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.