Video of Ohio Man Demolishing Homes Ends His Workers’ Comp Benefits

An Ohio, man must return nearly $4,000 to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) after investigators caught him on camera demolishing homes when he was supposed to be off work recovering from a workplace injury. John Perkins was sentenced Sept. 6 in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.

“Mr. Perkins wasn’t honest about his employment while receiving workers’ comp benefits,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer. “We’re pleased our investigators were able to capture this video to uncover his fraudulent activity, and the money he improperly received will be returned to the State Insurance Fund.”

BWC’s Special Investigations Department (SID) opened an investigation after receiving an allegation that Perkins was tearing down mobile home trailers while collecting temporary total disability. SID obtained video evidence and confirmed that Perkins was working for John Rogers of Rogers Services demolishing old mobile home trailers. The evidence showed Perkins tore down trailers, ran a reciprocating saw, used a sledgehammer, loaded materials into a dumpster and took scrap materials to scrap yards while working for Rogers Services.

Perkins pleaded guilty in to one misdemeanor count of workers’ compensation fraud and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, suspended for three years of community control. He must also pay restitution to BWC in the amount of $3,762, maintain employment or employment training, and have no new convictions. Perkins had forty-two days of jail time credit.

Surveillance video is available here.

Source: Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation