Texas Oilfield Worker Indicted for WC Fraud
The Travis County (Texas) Grand Jury recently indicted Jimmy L. Jones on workers’ compensation fraud-related charges. According to the Texas Mutual Insurance Company, Jones was an employee of Jen’s Oilfield Service in Edinburg, Texas when he allegedly suffered an on-the-job injury.
According to Jones’ testimony at a Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission (TWCC) benefit review conference, he was unable to work for almost four months after his alleged injury. After the hearing, TWCC ordered Texas Mutual to pay Jones over $3,100 in temporary income benefits.
Later, Texas Mutual received information suggesting that Jones had given false and deceptive testimony at the hearing. An investigation revealed evidence alleging that Jones was not only able to return-to-work, but had actually been employed during the period he claimed he could not work.
If convicted, Jones may face a jail term of up to two years, and may have to pay a fine not to exceed $10,000.