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NYSIF announced the arrest of a Suffolk County woman for workers’ compensation fraud stemming from a case in which she collected $130,000 by allegedly falsely claiming she was unable to work.
Investigators from Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota’s Office arrested the suspect, Carol Mitchell, 51, of Central Islip, NY, on September 28. Ms. Mitchell faces a felony fraud charge for violating the Workers’ Compensation Law resulting from a joint investigation conducted by NYSIF’s Division of Confidential Investigations, the New York State Insurance Department Frauds Bureau and the Office of Workers’ Compensation Board Fraud Inspector General.
“We appreciate the assistance of investigative authorities who understand the serious ramifications caused by insurance fraud, especially in such a rough economy,” NYSIF Chief Deputy Executive Director Francine James said. “Workers’ compensation is a not a supplemental form of income for able-bodied individuals who are capable of working and fortunate enough to have a job.”
Investigators said Ms. Mitchell was a food service employee who had received $275 per week in workers’ compensation benefits since 1993 claiming a work related injury to her back and hip.
Investigators learned that Ms. Mitchell had allegedly returned to work approximately nine years ago as an office manager for a tree company operating in Islip Terrace, New York. In addition to the charge that she illegally collected $130,000 in benefits during this time, NYSIF investigators estimated the potential future savings on Ms. Mitchell’s claim, upon conviction, to be $161,000.
During the period in which she returned to work, investigators said, Ms. Mitchell submitted numerous forms to NYSIF indicating that she was not working.
Criminal complaints and indictments are accusations only. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.