For immediate release: Feb. 28, 2012

Akron man worked two jobs while collecting injured worker benefits

Corn collected two paychecks while he wasn't supposed to be working at all

COLUMBUS - An Akron (Summit County) man has been ordered to pay more than $14,000 in restitution for collecting paychecks from two employers while he was supposed to be off work recovering from a workplace injury. An Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) investigation led to a guilty plea by Kevin Corn in a Franklin County courtroom.

"Working two jobs and collecting compensation check for a workplace injury is clearly out of bounds," said BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer. "Recovery of $14,000 in this case is the only fair way to ensure these employers' premiums are being used only to cover the costs of benefits for those who are truly incapable of working."

Agents from BWC's Special Investigations Department began looking into Corn's activities after receiving an allegation of fraud. The investigation revealed that two different employers had reported earnings to Corn while he was receiving disability benefits. Both employers provided records confirming that he was working as a chef during the time period in question. He was originally injured working as a chef. Corn was later interviewed and admitted to working for both companies and knew he was not permitted to work while concurrently receiving disability benefits.

Corn withdrew a previous not guilty plea on Feb. 13 and entered a guilty plea to a felony count of theft. He was immediately sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for community control. Corn was also ordered to repay $13,699.80 in restitution and $500 in investigative costs.

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

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