Long Island Roofer Sentenced in Workers’ Comp Case

A Long Island, N.Y. business owner has been sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty to attempted violation of the workers’ compensation law, and other unrelated charges, following his arrest in a case of premium fraud against the New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF), according to officials.

Authorities said George Besser, 32, of West Babylon, N.Y., employed several more workers for his company, Besser Roofing, than the number of employees he disclosed in his application for insurance and payroll records submitted to NYSIF. Investigators said Besser understated his payroll to obtain a lower insurance premium, owing NYSIF $113,000.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office arrested Mr. Besser in 2004 and charged him with a violation of Section 114 of the Workers’ Compensation Law as a felony.

He pleaded guilty in 2006 to attempted violation of the workers’ compensation law as a misdemeanor, along with other unrelated charges, and was sentenced to six months in jail in July, according to authorities. Besser also has been ordered to pay restitution of $89,000 to NYSIF.

NYSIF is a competitive state fund that sells workers’ compensation and disability benefits insurance.

Source: New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF)