Each week we'll be surveying what the media, state agencies, insurance companies, and others report in terms of workers' comp fraud. Just like a police blotter, our workers' comp fraud blotter lists recent arrests, charges, and convictions.

Workers' Comp Fraud Blotter – August 21, 2009 

Aide to Former Ohio Attorney General Seeks Hearing on Fraud Allegations (OH) – Anthony Gutierrez, a top aide to former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann, is seeking a hearing to protest fraud allegations against his former business, specifically theft in office, unauthorized use of state property, soliciting or receiving improper compensation, and workers’ compensation fraud. Read more

Oneida County Mechanic Faces Workers’ Comp Fraud Charges (NY) – Ronald Snyder, an auto mechanic from the Oneida County community of North Bay , who has repeatedly denied any return to work, is facing court action later this month on several charges alleging he committed workers’ compensation fraud against the New York State Insurance Fund. Read more

Diamond Bar Man Arrested in $1.4 Million Workers’ Comp Fraud Case (CA) – Joseph Baiden of Diamond Bar surrendered to the Los Angeles Superior Court pursuant to an arrest warrant issued for eight counts of workers’ compensation insurance premium fraud against the State Compensation Insurance Fund. The State Fund received an anonymous tip that Baiden had underreported his workers’ compensation payroll. Read more

Former Wienerschnitzel Owner Convicted of Insurance Violations After Worker Stabbed (CA) – Mustafa “Mike” Bitar of Salinas pleaded to one felony count of failure to make contributions and one misdemeanor count of failure to secure workers’ compensation insurance at Weinerschnitzel Store #193 in Salinas, California, which he formerly owned and where last year an employee was stabbed by a fellow employee in an unprovoked attack. Bitar gave assurances that he would pay for the injured employee’s medical expenses, but failed to do so. Read more

Metal Construction Company Pleads Guilty to Workers’ Comp Premium Fraud-Related Charges (TX) – Erection Professionals Inc. of Pleasanton has pleaded guilty for intentionally misrepresenting the number of its employees to obtain a lower workers’ compensation premium. A Travis County district court has ordered the company, which is owned by Gregory S. Dicaro, to repay $200,000 to Texas Mutual Insurance Company. Read more