Ohio BWC Reports 11 Workers’ Comp Fraud Convictions in June

11 individuals were convicted or pleaded guilty to charges related to defrauding Ohio’s workers’ compensation system during the month of June, reported the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC).

BWC launched recently launched a special investigations Facebook page that can be found at www.facebook.com/ohiobwcfraud. It includes news on recent investigatory action, a most-wanted section and a link to report fraud.

Following is a sampling of the cases that resulted in a guilty plea or conviction during the month of June:

• Sharlyn Adams (Cincinnati, Hamilton County) pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of workers’ compensation fraud for working while receiving benefits. Investigators found that Adams had returned to work while receiving Temporary Total Disability benefits for performing the same type of work she was performing at the time of her industrial injury. She received 180 days jail sentence and placed on probation for five years. She was ordered to pay $3,661.29 in restitution and an additional $1,000 for investigative costs.
• John Bou-Sliman (Port Clinton, Ottawa County) pled guilty to one count of workers’ compensation fraud for failing to make premium payments and maintain coverage for his restaurant business, The Jolly Roger. His workers’ compensation policy lapsed in September 2007 after his premium check bounced. On June 14, 2011, Bou-Sliman pleaded guilty, sentencing is scheduled for August 8, 2011.
• William Burchfield (Lancaster, Fairfield County) was sentenced for workers’ compensation fraud for operating without coverage. Burchfield, owner of Elite Sewer and Septic, allowed his policy to lapse in 2007 and failed to have it reinstated even after attempts by BWC agents to assist him in returning to compliance. He was found guilty on June 27 and ordered to pay restitution to BWC in the amount of $300 per month beginning July 28. The judge ordered five years probation, a suspended jail sentence of 90 days, and ordered him to pay $100 in fines and $95 in court costs.
• James Goloversic (Cincinnati, Hamilton County) pled guilty to workers’ compensation fraud and two counts of deception to obtain a dangerous drug for using multiple doctors and multiple pharmacies to obtain narcotics. He was sentenced on June 28 to three years of community control and ordered to pay court costs.
• James Hale (Kenton, Hardin County), owner of Jimmy’s Pizza, was sentenced for operating his business without a workers’ compensation policy. Hale failed to obtain a policy even after BWC agents advised him of his obligation to do so. On June 2, 2011, Hale pled guilty to one count of failure to comply, a second degree misdemeanor. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,980.67, in addition to a $200 fine. He received a suspended sentence of 90 days jail and one year probation.

Source: Ohio Bureau of of Workers’ Compensation