Youngstown man sentenced for workers’ compensation fraud Print E-mail
Monday, March 7, 2005

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

Joseph Lesniewski was sentenced to five years probation, ordered to pay $97,457.28 in restitution and investigative costs.

“Once again, Ohio has shown it will not tolerate those who try to defraud the workers’ compensation system,” said James Conrad, BWC’s Administrator and CEO. “Each day, BWC and its partners work to ensure the integrity of the system and protect the injured workers we serve by seeking out those who refuse to play by the rules.”

An automated detection and intelligence team (AD&I) cross match with the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services alerted BWC’s special investigations unit (SIU) that Lesniewski was receiving wages while collecting workers’ compensation benefits. During the investigation, the SIU revealed that Lesniewski was employed by seven employers between February 2000 and April 2002.

Lesniewski suffered injuries to his back and hip in July 1998 while working for Penzoil Company as a sales representative. BWC awarded Lesniewski temporary total and living maintenance 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.