For immediate release: September 7, 2012

Cleveland man worked as landscaper while collecting workers' comp

Anthony Perry pleads guilty, must repay more than $40,000

COLUMBUS - Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) investigators uncovered fraud in Cleveland with an investigation into Anthony Perry, who was discovered working as a landscaper while receiving injured worker benefits. Perry was sentenced in a Franklin County courtroom last week and was ordered to repay BWC more than $40,000.

"The tens of thousands of dollars collected by Mr. Perry came directly from premiums paid by Ohio employers," said BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer. "Their workers' comp insurance policies are in place to help injured workers get back on the job, and our investigators work to ensure employers' premiums do not rise as a result of fraudulent claims."

BWC investigators acted on a tip that Perry was employed while receiving temporary total and living maintenance disability benefits. The investigation found that Perry had returned to work as a self employed landscaper and snowplow operator. He used his own landscaping equipment to do yard work and mow grass for residential and commercial customers, and hired staff to assist.

Perry entered a guilty plea to one felony count of workers' compensation fraud on August 27 and was sentenced by Franklin County Judge Bender. He must repay $41,644.28 and serve three years of community control.

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

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