Enon woman sentenced for workers’ compensation fraud Print E-mail
Wednesday, April 27, 2004

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) announced a Clark County woman has been sentenced for a felony charge of workers’ compensation fraud.

Roxanne Anania was sentenced to five years probation, $2,447.36 in investigative costs, and ordered to pay restitution of $12,159.48 to BWC.

“BWC is dedicated to seeking out individuals who commit fraud and protecting the integrity of the workers’ compensation system,” said James Conrad, BWC’s Administrator and CEO. “BWC and its partners do not tolerate those who try to cheat the system. Fraud is an issue we take very seriously.”

BWC’s special investigations unit (SIU) learned of possible fraud by Anania through an anonymous allegation. The SIU found that Anania was working while receiving workers’ compensation benefits. The investigation confirmed that Anania was working for Copper Tan/LA Tan as a store manager.

Anania suffered injuries to her left knee in November 1998 while working for The Wet Seal Retail Inc. BWC awarded Anania temporary total disability benefits for her 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.