COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Michael Avey of Girard, Ohio, has been sentenced for committing workers' compensation fraud, James Conrad, administrator and chief executive officer of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, reported today.Avey was sentenced to one year of probation, court costs and restitution to BWC. His case was heard in the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas.BWC's special investigations unit was notified through a computer cross match with the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services that Avey was working while receiving benefits. The unit confirmed that he was employed by Allied Employer Services while receiving temporary total benefits and living maintenance benefits.Avey's original injury occurred in November 1999. While working for Mifflin Township as an emergency medical technician and a firefighter, he suffered a back injury. BWC allowed the claim and began providing him benefits for multiple back problems."BWC and its partners are committed to being tough on those who commit workers' comp fraud," Conrad says. "It is important that we continue seek out employees who try to cheat the system so that injured workers with legitimate claims do not have to pay the price."In fiscal year 2003, BWC's SIU uncovered $102 million in savings from fraudulent activity. There were 130 convictions. The average take in a fraudulent workers' compensation case is $35,000, Conrad says.Visit the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation: www.ohiobwc.com"