Cleveland man sentenced for workers’ compensation fraud Print E-mail
Thursday, Jan. 12, 2005

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

Fredrick Johnson was sentenced to one year probation, restitution in the amount of $211.51 to BWC and a fine of $250. If Johnson violates his sentence he will receive 120 days incarceration.

“Again, BWC has shown that it will not put up with fraud,” said James Conrad, BWC’s Administrator and CEO. “Workers’ compensation fraud is a serious crime and those who defraud the system will face the consequences of their actions.”

BWC’s special investigations unit (SIU) learned of possible fraud by Johnson when his managed care organization noticed that paperwork had been altered. The investigation confirmed Johnson had intentionally changed the date on a Request for Temporary Total Compensation (C84).

Johnson suffered an electric shock to his right arm July 2002 while working for Euclid Heat Treating Co. BWC awarded Horning temporary total disability, permanent partial disability and living maintenance benefits for his injury.

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.