Who says those fraud hotlines never lead anywhere?
Jason O. Klein of Coshocton (Coshocton County), Ohio recently pleaded guilty to workers compensation fraud after the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation received two complaints about him on its anonymous fraud hotline.
According to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation, Klein recently went in front of Judge Pollitt in the Franklin County Municipal Court and was ordered to repay $2,040 for operating his own business while he was supposed to be on the mend from a workplace injury.
“The fact that the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation received two separate tips on Mr. Klein’s activity provides evidence not only that many people won’t sit by idly and allow cheating,” said Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer. “Our fraud hotline is a convenient way to anonymously help us uncover fraud that siphons employer premium dollars away from the care of those who legitimately need assistance following a workplace injury.”
Fraud Hotline Dials-Up Trouble for One Worker
As the bureau sets the timeline, the agency received a tip on its fraud hotline indicating Klein was selling equipment for natural gas pumps while he was supposed to be off work recovering from a workplace injury.
Meantime, a second caller alleged Klein was operating his own business called KBI Services and was hauling water, plowing snow and performing natural gas conversions.
Agents with Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation’s Special Investigations Department (SID) opened an investigation. A review of bank records and interviews with witnesses confirmed that Klein knowingly owned and operated KBI Services during periods he received Temporary Total and Living Maintenance compensation. An injured worker cannot work and receive these payments.
Klein pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of workers comp fraud and was ordered to pay $2,040 in restitution and court costs of $250. He also received a 10 day suspended jail sentence.
No doubt the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation officials plan to not hang up on the fraud hotline anytime soon.
Find out more about Ohio Workers Compensation Laws and Regulations.
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: [email protected].
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