For immediate release: May 14, 2012

Cambridge car salesman sentenced for workers' comp fraud

COLUMBUS - A Cambridge (Guernsey County) man has been sentenced for working as an automobile salesman while receiving benefits from a workplace injury. Myron Rose pleaded guilty to workers' compensation fraud and must repay nearly $8,000 following an Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) investigation initiated after Rose appeared in a newspaper ad for a local car dealership.

"The type of compensation Mr. Rose was receiving is available to injured workers who tell us they are searching but have been unable to secure employment within their physical restrictions," said BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer. "It can provide useful assistance during a difficult time following a workplace injury but is not available to those who have found employment."

BWC's Special Investigations Department (SID) received an allegation indicating that a picture of Rose was in a Zanesville Times Recorder newspaper advertisement as a salesman for Fairdale Auto Sales. Rose at the time was receiving Non-Working Wage Loss benefits for a prior workplace injury, payable when an injured worker is unable to find suitable employment. SID's investigation showed Rose knowingly worked for Fairdale Auto Sales during the period he was receiving this compensation.

Rose was indicted in November 2011 and pleaded guilty April 24 to one felony count of Workers' Compensation Fraud. A Franklin County judge ordered Rose to pay $7,794.37, in addition to court and probation costs. He was also sentenced to one year of incarceration, suspended for five years of community control and must maintain viable employment.

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

# # #