Ohio Man Admits to Defrauding BWC

A Newton Falls, Ohio man pled guilty to a misdemeanor count of workers’ compensation fraud and was ordered to make restitution to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), the bureau announced.

William James must repay BWC $3,154 in restitution and $1,500 in investigative costs for reportedly continuing to collect temporary total disability (TTD) benefits after he had returned to work. In addition, James was placed on probation for five years.

Following the hearing, James paid $1,800 towards restitution.

James was originally injured in September 1999 while working for James Brothers Builders. He suffered fractures to his tibia and to both wrists. BWC approved his claim and began providing TTD benefits.

However, BWC’s special investigations unit (SIU) initiated a case on June 9, 2000, when an anonymous caller informed the bureau that James was working as a laborer and still collecting workers’ comp benefits.

Injured workers who receive TTD benefits are temporarily disabled due to an occupational injury. TTD benefits are to be terminated when the injured worker is physically able to return to work.

The investigation concluded James was working for several companies, including NRP Contractors, Made Rite Manufacturing, Wayne Homes and Moy Construction among others. He did drywall and framing work as a subcontractor.