For immediate release: Dec.1, 2011

Sharonville man on workers’ comp caught working for brother’s company

Gary Metz was installing cable for Comteam, Inc.

COLUMBUS – A Sharonville (Hamilton County) man was sentenced in court last week after the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) discovered he was working as a cable installer for his brother’s Milford company. Gary Metz must repay BWC $7,165 by Dec. 30 or risk jail time.

“The majority of injured workers are conscientious of the rules and would never purposely break them,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Stephen Buehrer. “Regrettably, BWC’s investigators must remain alert for others like Mr. Metz who knowingly commit fraud hoping it will go unnoticed while they pocket checks they are not eligible to receive.”

BWC’s Special Investigations Department investigated Metz and found he was working as a cable technician for Comteam, Inc., owned by his brother. Metz was working full time for the company while receiving Living Maintenance and Non-Working Wage Loss benefits. Non-Working Wage Loss is payable to injured workers who are unable to find suitable employment, and Living Maintenance is paid to an injured worker while they are participating in a vocational rehabilitation plan.

Metz pleaded guilty November 22 in the Franklin County Common Pleas court to one felony count of workers’ compensation fraud. He was ordered to pay restitution of $6,165 and investigative costs of $1,000. He was also sentenced to six months in Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, suspended if he pays restitution and court costs by December 30.

To report suspected workers’ compensation fraud, call 1-800-OHIOBWC, visit ohiobwc.com, or visit www.facebook.com/ohiobwcfraud.

# # #

Editor’s note: Photo available for download