Columbus man sentenced for workers’ compensation fraud Print E-mail
Wednesday, April 27, 2004

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) announced a Franklin County man has been sentenced for a misdemeanor charge of workers’ compensation fraud.

Todd Hanks was ordered to pay $11,500 in restitution and court costs. At the hearing, Hanks paid $4,000 toward his restitution.

“Again, BWC has shown the people of Ohio and across the nation that we will not put up with fraud,” said James Conrad, BWC’s Administrator and CEO. “It’s only a matter of time before an individual who cheats the system is caught.”

An automated detection and intelligence team (AD&I) cross match with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) alerted BWC’s special investigations unit (SIU) that Hank’s claim records signaled possible fraud. During the investigation, the SIU revealed that Hanks was working while receiving workers’ compensation benefits. Hanks was employed by Lifeline and Atlas Industrial Contractors Inc. as a welder.

Hanks suffered injuries to his back in November 1973 while working for Midwest Metal Products. BWC awarded Hanks temporary total benefits for his injuries.

BWC’s SIU specializes in identifying and investigating workers’ compensation fraud. Since its establishment in 1993, the department has saved the agency over $820 million. In 2004, the department saved the agency approximately $126 million, the highest amount yet recorded.

For every dollar spent on special investigations, BWC’s SIU identifies more than $11 in savings. The average take in a fraudulent workers’ compensation case is $34,000.

To report workers’ compensation fraud, call 1-800-OHIOBWC or contact your local BWC customer service office and ask for the fraud department. You also can submit an allegation on BWC’s Web site at ohiobwc.com.

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Media contact: Jeremy Jackson, BWC, (614) 752-7558 or Emily Hicks, (614)728-6197.