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 – September 4, 2009

Monterey Businesses Cited for Lack of Workers’ Comp Coverage (CA) – The District Attorney’s Office said that a check of 17 Monterey County businesses this week found five that had no workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. Read more

San Francisco City Workers and Vendors Charged With Fraud (CA) – The District Attorney’s Office has filed felony charges against former San Francisco Public Utility Commission (PUC) workers and City-approved vendors and the companies’ employees for conspiracy to defraud the PUC for personal benefit through use of the vendor procurement system. In addition, two of the former PUC workers are alleged to have defrauded the State Compensation Insurance Fund by failing to accurately identify the number of employees at Tri Delta Electric, Inc., a company they personally owned, and the type of work done in order to reduce the premiums paid.  Read more

Former Police Officer Charged With 20 Counts of Mail Fraud (NY) – Matthew Romano, a former Johnson City police officer who allegedly faked an assault and filed for workers’ compensation benefits, has been charged with 20 counts of mail fraud. If convicted, he could face up to a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Read more

New Jersey Contractor Arrested for Defrauding New York State Insurance Fund (NY) – According to investigators, John Barone, a Morganville, New Jersey, man, owns a carpentry business, employing approximately 20 people. He allegedly falsely reported to NYSIF that he operated an architectural business with one employee to defraud NYSIF in premium payments of approximately $657,000. Read more

Freeport Woman Accused of Stealing $39,000 in Benefits (NY) – Monica Martinez of Freeport was charged with fraudulent insurance practices for allegedly working while maintaining in documents she signed and returned to NYSIF that she had not returned to any form of work since suffering a back injury as a dental assistant in 2005. Investigators said Martinez, who was receiving $400 per week for a temporary total disability, allegedly returned to work as a dental assistant while defrauding NYSIF of $39,360. Read more

Hauppauge Contractor Accused of Workers’ Comp Fraud (NY) – According to investigators, John Rusnak, of Freeport, NY, doing business as Colt Contracting of Syosset, NY, allegedly understated the nature and actual payroll of his business to defraud NYSIF of $104,177. Read more

Stone Mountain Man Arrested for Workers’ Comp Fraud (GA) – Kenneth Daigle of Stone Mountain, GA, allegedly cashed $46,423 in workers’ compensation benefits while gainfully employed, most recently as an electrician. He has been charged with theft by deception and making false statements. Read more