Mass. Man Pleads Guilty to Workers Comp Fraud Charges

A Sutton, Mass. man pleaded guilty to worker’s compensation fraud and larceny over $250 in Worcester Superior Court, according to Attorney General Tom Reilly.

Hal Tyree, 51, of Sutton pleaded guilty to one charge each of workers’ compensation fraud and grand larceny over $250, officials said. Judge Frances McIntyre of Worcester Superior Court sentenced Tyree to three years probation on each count to run concurrently. Sutton is also ordered to pay full restitution of $29,387.22 to the Lumberman Mutual Insurance Company.

The charges in the case alleged that after injuring his back while working as a truck driver for ABF Freight Systems on October 11, 2001, Tyree started to collect total temporary disability benefits through ABF’s compensation insurer Lumberman Mutual Insurance. Between October 12, 2001 until December 4, 2003, Tyree received approximately $70,000 in benefits.

An investigation by ABF revealed that Tyree worked delivering heating oil for Harris Oil, Inc. from January 2003 to December 2003 making approximately $10,000 while claiming to be disabled and collecting benefits. On October 9, 2003, Tyree signed and submitted an employee earnings report to ABF and Lumberman Mutual stating that he had not received any earnings while he was entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits, officials said.

The case was referred to AG Reilly’s office by the state Insurance Fraud Bureau. AAG David Andrews of AG Reilly’s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Division worked on this case.

Source: Attorney General’s Office