Washington Restaurant Co-Owner Charged With Theft in Workers’ Comp Fraud

A Spokane, Wash., restaurant co-owner accused of fraudulently collecting nearly $250,000 in workers’ compensation benefits has been charged with first-degree theft.

The Washington Labor and Industries Department said Wednesday that Wanitta Racicot filed for workers’ comp in 2001, saying she injured both arms working at a restaurant. The agency says she regularly signed documents saying she was unable to work.

During an investigation that began in August 2011, the state says Racicot told an investigator her hands were still badly damaged. However, that same month an investigator saw her carrying groceries, busing heavy dishes and doing other tasks at Broadway Bar and Grill.

She’s scheduled to enter a plea Sept. 4 in Superior Court. It was not immediately known late Wednesday whether she had a lawyer.