Columbus man sentenced for workers’ compensation fraud Print E-mail
Friday, Jan. 28, 2005

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

Charles Goodroe was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay restitution to BWC in the amount of $29,032.24 to BWC. Goodroe is incarcerated for other charges until September 2005.

“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.”

BWC’s special investigations unit (SIU) learned of possible fraud by Goodroe from an anonymous source. The source alleged Goodroe admitted he had been working and saw a plaster-type substance on his clothing. The investigation confirmed Goodroe was employed by Ohio Stucco and Worthington Cylinders while receiving workers’ compensation benefits.

Goodroe suffered injuries to his head and back in August 1988 while working for Stucco by LA Inc. BWC awarded Goodroe temporary total disability 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.