Oklahoma Golfer Lowers Score, Charged with Workers’ Comp Fraud

Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson announced that an Oklahoma City man was ordered to pay almost $6,000 in restitution after pleading guilty March 30 to one count of workers’ compensation fraud.

Fred Young was charged Dec. 17, 2003, in Oklahoma County District Court after an investigation by Edmondson’s Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit. Young, 57, was employed with Dayton Tire Plant in Oklahoma City on Oct. 16, 2001, when he reported injuries to his back, legs and feet allegedly sustained while he was inspecting tires.

While he was receiving disability payments, investigators witnessed Young and four other men playing golf for four hours. During that time, Young was observed repeatedly swinging a golf club, bending at the waist and entering and exiting a golf cart. Four days later, Young returned to the doctor’s office and reported pain severe enough to warrant surgery.

Young was also ordered to pay a $500 fine, a $250 victims’ compensation assessment and court costs.