Ottawa-Area Construction Company, Pair of Employees Guilty in Workers’ Comp Scam

An Ottawa-area construction company and two company officials have been found guilty of making false statements to Canada’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Findings of guilt were registered in relation to a total of 18 charges under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.

A. Potvin Construction Ltd. had been charged with 20 counts of making a false statement, and three counts of late reporting of an accident.

A. Potvin Construction Ltd., of 345 Laurier St. East, Rockland,
Jean-Pierre Lamarche, a Health and Safety officer, and Marc Filion, a
former Health and Safety director of the company were convicted on April 8 in Provincial Offences Court in L’Orignal, Ontario.

The company was convicted on nine counts of making false statements to the WSIB in connection with workers’ claims for benefits.

Lamarche, a former employee of the company, was convicted on six counts and Filion was convicted on three counts of making false statements to the WSIB in connection with workers’ claims for benefits. These are violations under Section 149(1) of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.

Sentencing has been set for June 21, 2005.