Mass. ‘Big Dig’ Worker Pleads Guilty to Workers’ Comp Fraud, Larceny

A Chelsea, Massachusetts man who was allegedly injured while working on the Central Artery Project has pleaded guilty to charges that he worked while collecting workers’ compensation benefits, Attorney General Tom Reilly announced.

Horman Carcamo, 30, pleaded guilty to one count each of Workers’ Compensation Fraud and Larceny Over $250.00. Suffolk Superior Court Judge John Connor sentenced Carcamo to six months in the House of Correction, suspended for three years. Carcamo was also ordered to pay $25,000 in restitution.

The charges against Carcamo stemmed from an investigation by Reilly’s office. On July 9, 2002, Carcamo was allegedly injured when he was working on the Central Artery Tunnel as a laborer for G & C Concrete Construction Company.

Shortly after Carcamo’s alleged accident, he filed a workers’ comp claim with G & C’s insurer, and collected more than $25,000 in total disability benefits. AG Reilly’s investigation into Carcamo’s claim later revealed that he was collecting these benefits while simultaneously earning a living as a private contractor renovating homes.

Workers who are injured on the Central Artery Project are paid through an “insurance fund” administered by American International Group (AIG), with 85% funded by the federal government and 15% funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.