Mass. Man Pleads Guilty to Workers’ Comp Fraud

A Norwell, Massachusetts man has pleaded guilty to charges he collected $137,795 in workers’ compensation while continuing to work at various construction jobs, Attorney General Tom Reilly announced.

John J. Stanton, 53, of Norwell, pleaded guilty to one count each of workers’ comp fraud, larceny over $250 and perjury. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Margot Botsford sentenced him to two and a half years in the Suffolk County House of Correction which she suspended for 10 years. Judge Botsford sentenced Stanton to probation for 20 years on the larceny and perjury charges. She ordered him to pay full restitution of $137,795.

Stanton reported being injured while working for Jay Cashman Inc. on July 27, 2000 and again on Oct. 28, 2000. The Attorney General’s investigation reportedly found that from Oct. 31, 2000, Stanton received disability payments. The investigation reportedly further found that from Aug. 12, 2000 until Sept. 9, 2003, while still collecting disability payments, Stanton worked for TRI Construction in Dorchester.

Stanton also pleaded guilty to a perjury charge. While testifying before the Department of Industrial Accidents under oath, twice Stanton reportedly stated that he was in severe pain, unable to work and had not worked since Oct. 30, 2000.