Ohio Truck Driver Ordered to Pay $60,000 for Workers’ Comp Fraud

An Ohio man was sentenced for working as a truck driver while receiving Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) funds for a prior workplace injury. Ricky Davis was ordered to repay more than $57,000 he improperly collected from the BWC.

“Mr. Davis misrepresented his work activity to medical doctors and to the BWC,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer. “BWC strives to provide high quality care to injured workers and is committed to bringing those who abuse the system to justice.”

BWC’s Intelligence Unit received a cross match report from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio that indicated Davis underwent a commercial vehicle inspection during the time period he was receiving temporary total disability benefits. An investigation revealed he knowingly worked as a commercial truck driver while concurrently collecting temporary total disability benefits. Injured workers are not permitted to work while receiving these funds.

Davis pleaded guilty March 18 to workers’ compensation fraud, a fifth-degree felony. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for five years of community control. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $57,533.14, plus investigative costs of $3,201.08.

Source: Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC)