Health-care provider pleads guilty to workers’ comp fraud

Cleveland woman ordered to pay restitution, court costs, one-year probation

Thursday, Jan. 19, 2007

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) announced today that a Cleveland woman pleaded guilty to a felony count of workers’ compensation fraud.

Carolyn Burten, also known as Carolyn Cook, pleaded guilty in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court to a fifth-degree felony. The court ordered her to repay investigation costs of $1,383.96, sentenced her to one year of probation and 40 hours of community work. The Cleveland woman had previously repaid $8,133.25.

“Workers’ compensation is designed to serve Ohio’s employers and workers,” said acting Administrator/CEO Tina Kielmeyer. “People who abuse the system take away resources that are meant to give injured workers good care, at the right time, with the goal of getting back to life quickly.”

Burten was working at Judson Retirement Community when she slipped on wet carpet and injured her shoulder and arm. The accident occurred in 2001. She was receiving temporary total disability and living maintenance.

A cross match of records with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services revealed she had reported income and was working while collecting benefits. The investigation revealed The Welcome House employed Burten as a health-care provider. BWC opened the case in 2003 and closed it in 2005.

The work of BWC’s automated detection and intelligence team (AD&I), which is part of the special investigations department, is key in cross matching records with other state agencies to locate evidence of fraud. So far in the 2007 fiscal year, the AD&I team has identified more than $12 million in savings.

To report workers’ compensation fraud, call 1-800-OHIOBWC, or call your local BWC customer service office and ask for the fraud unit. You can also submit an allegation on BWC’s Web site at ohiobwc.com.

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Media Contact: Nancy Smeltzer, (614) 752-7558