Washington Man Sentenced for Defrauding Workers’ Comp System

Willard Leech of Bellingham, Wash., has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and 12 months of community supervision for illegally collecting workers’ compensation wage-replacement benefits while working at another job.

Leech, 53, was receiving time-loss benefits for a low-back injury that supposedly prevented him from working. Yet, for more than 10 months, Leech worked steadily at general carpentry and was observed working on a ladder and maneuvering roof trusses into place.

An investigation by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) led to Assistant Attorney General Susan DanPullo filing charges against Leech, who pleaded guilty to first-degree theft. He was sentenced Sept. 13.

In addition to his jail sentence, which he may serve alternatively through electronic home monitoring or daily work release, Leech was ordered to repay L&I the nearly $19,000 he illegally collected in benefits, plus court costs of $800.

Leech’s conviction stemmed from a workplace-injury claim originally filed in 1988, later closed and then reopened in 2004. When L&I discovered that he was continuing to work while collecting benefits, the agency issued fraud orders. L&I moved to file criminal charges against Leech since he had previously committed fraud against L&I.

In 2003, Leech was ordered to repay approximately $5,600 for illegally collecting workers’ compensation wage-replacement benefits.

Source: L&I