Facebook Photos Reveal Workers' Comp Fraud
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A former New Bremen man has learned it’s not a good idea to post photos of some things on Facebook. Michael Mallory was ordered to pay the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation $7,644 in restitution and investigative costs after the bureau came across photos of his work for an Arizona employer and lesiure on the social media site while he was receiving benefits as a result of an injury in Ohio
"Injured workers often are not permitted to work while receiving workers' comp benefits," said Steve Buehrer, BWC administrator/CEO, in a prepared statement. "This particular case is a clear example of someone who knowingly broke those rules, flaunted his crime, and generated convincing evidence for our investigators to prove his wrongdoing."
Mallory lived in New Bremen but relocated to Scottsdale, Ariz., after he was injured and began collecting benefits. The bureau opened an investigation after receiving a tip that Mallory was doing construction work in Arizona while collecting Ohio workers' compensation benefits.
After checking with Arizona state officials, investigators found that Mallory was working for Safety Compliance Services there. BWC investigators also found photos on his Facebook page of Mallory wearing rappelling gear and rappelling. The company also confirmed it employed Mallory as a rescue technician.
Mallory paid $6,000 at sentencing and was given a six-month suspended jail sentence on the condition that he pays the balance of the restitution and investigative costs by Oct. 13.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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