Ohio Man Convicted and Sentenced for Workers’ Comp Fraud

A Brecksville, Ohio man was convicted and sentenced to one felony count of workers’ comp fraud. A building surveillance security camera captured Jerome J. Dobies delivering phone books to an Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) office while receiving disability benefits.

A Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court sentenced Dobies to six months of community controlled sanction. The conditions of his probation are regular reporting, drug testing, verifiable employment, court costs and fees and $50,000 restitution, which he has paid. If he violates the terms of the sanctions, the court will sentence him to six months in prison.

“Such blatant abuse of the support system designed to help injured workers cannot be tolerated,” said William Mabe, Administrator/CEO. “The court speaks loudly with punishments and fines and sends strong messages to others who may be considering such activities.”

Dobies injured his back in 1986 while moving a bundle of steel with a pry bar while working at Transportation Unlimited Inc. The bureau learned of Dobies’ work activity from an anonymous caller. BWC opened the case in January 2004 and closed it in November 2004.

Product Development Corp., a telephone book delivery company, employed Dobies while he received disability benefits. A building surveillance security camera caught him delivering telephone books to BWC’s Garfield Heights Customer Service Office.

Since 1993, BWC’s special investigations department has investigated 41,396 cases and identified more than $1 billion in savings during the same time.

To report workers’ compensation fraud, call 1-800-OHIOBWC or call your local BWC office and ask for the fraud unit. You can also submit an allegation on BWC’s Web site at ohiobwc.com.

Source: Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation