Ohio BWC Nets Seven June Comp Fraud Convictions

The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation recently reported that it netted seven convictions in June in criminal cases related to workers comp fraud.

Those convicted include child care center operators, skilled tradesmen and others who had lapsed policies, forged certificates of coverage or worked while receiving injured worker’s benefits.

As of June 30, BWC’s Special Investigations Department had secured 55 convictions this calendar year. June convictions include:

Walter Dappert, (Butler County) – The owner of Dappert Masonry Construction pleaded guilty June 8 to one count of workers compensation fraud, a fifth-degree felony. Investigators found he had forged a BWC certificate of coverage to show he had active coverage when, in fact, the policy had lapsed in 2010. A judge sentenced Dappert to three years community control, 40 hours of community service and restitution to BWC in the amount of $1,507. Dappert brought his BWC policy into compliance prior to sentencing.
Terry Shaver (Franklin County) – The Grove City man pleaded guilty June 8 to one count of workers compensation fraud, a first-degree misdemeanor, after investigators found him working for a pest control company while receiving injured worker’s benefits. A judge sentenced Shaver to 12 months’ probation and ordered him to pay $5,000 restitution to BWC by May 2017.
Karon Jones (Cuyahoga County) – The Cleveland-area child care center owner pleaded guilty June 13 in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas to a first-degree misdemeanor count of Attempted Obstructing Official Business after investigators found her coverage had lapsed from Jan. 1, 2010 through June 30, 2015. A judge ordered Jones to pay BWC $33,985 in restitution.
Tenora Edwards-Jones (Cuyahoga County) – The child care center owner pleaded guilty June 14 in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas to one count of Failure to Comply with the Law, a second-degree misdemeanor. Edwards-Jones had lapsed coverage at two day care centers in Cleveland Heights. Prior to her sentencing, she paid BWC $28,514 to bring both policies current.
Angelique Braxton (Franklin County) – The home health aide pleaded guilty June 15 in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to a misdemeanor count of workers compensation fraud after she was found working for 20 months while collecting BWC benefits. She paid BWC $1,902 for its investigation and $37,962 in restitution.
Gary Miller (Fairfield County) – The Columbus area painter pleaded guilty June 23 to one count of workers compensation fraud, a first-degree misdemeanor, after investigators found he had forged a BWC certificate of coverage after his policy had lapsed. A judge in Fairfield County Municipal Court sentenced Miller to two years’ probation and ordered him to pay $732 in fines and restitution.
Brian DuVernay (Allen County) – The Lima-area man, owner of A Better Way Contracting, pleaded guilty June 24 to one count of Failure to Comply, a second-degree misdemeanor, after investigators found he hadn’t submitted payroll reports, causing his BWC policy to lapse. The Lima Municipal Court fined DuVernay $150 and warned that he would be jailed and face additional charges if he did not come into full compliance with BWC.

Additionally, a Northwest Ohio woman entered into a Hardin County Diversion Program in June in lieu of conviction after investigators found she had altered several BWC certificates of coverage to make them look current after they had lapsed.

Kathy S. Detwiler, owner of Detwiler Enterprises Inc., must participate in the program for one year, complete at least 160 hours of community service and abide by all regulations concerning BWC. Once completed, all charges will be dropped.

Author Kori Shafer-Stack, Editor, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in post-injury response procedures and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: kstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.

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