Wash. Woman, Man Ordered to Repay Benefits

A 61-year-old Gig Harbor, Washington woman has been ordered to repay $46,039 after an investigation by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) determined that she had collected workers’ compensation benefits while working at another job.

The department’s findings have been upheld by the Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, which ordered Rosa J. Armijo of Gig Harbor to repay the state. The order against Armijo reflects the amount of money she illegally collected plus a 50 percent penalty.

An anonymous Internet tip alerted L&I fraud investigators to the fact Armijo was reportedly working full time while collecting wage-replacement benefits for a 1987 job-related injury. Injured workers are prohibited from working at other jobs while they are collecting pension or time-loss benefits.

The appeals board also affirmed L&I’s order that Gerald Wright, 39, of Monroe, repay $16,153 in time-loss payments and penalties. The department’s investigation reportedly found that Wright repaired vehicles and drove a tow truck while collecting wage-replacement benefits for an injury he suffered in 2002.