Mass. Man Pleads Guilty To Comp Fraud

A Billerica, Massachusetts man pleaded guilty on charges he collected $50,000 in workers’ compensation benefits while working as a self-employed painter and carpenter, Attorney General Tom Reilly announced.

David Bruce Perry, 48, was sentenced in Suffolk County Superior Court after pleading guilty today to Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud and Larceny over $250. Judge Janet Sanders sentenced Perry to six months in the South Bay House of Corrections, suspended for two years. Perry was also ordered to pay $22,800 in restitution, including a first payment of $18,000 on August 24.

In October 1999, Perry reported to have injured his hip and leg in an incident when he was crushed between two vehicles while working as a truck driver for Hoboken Wood Flooring Corporation in Stoughton. From October 1999 through August 2002, Perry collected total disability benefits of more than $50,000 from One Beacon Insurance Company. By claiming total disability benefits, Perry claimed to be incapable of working in any capacity, either for an employer or through self-employment.

Private investigators hired by One Beacon Insurance Company reportedly witnessed Perry painting a residence in Needham in June 2002, while Perry was purporting to be totally disabled.

Further investigation revealed that Perry had been working and receiving wages as a self-employed house painter and carpenter since as early as February 2000. Perry reportedly never informed One Beacon Insurance that he was self-employed and repeatedly denied working or receiving wages throughout the period of time he received total disability benefits.