Double-Dipping Truck Driver Among 7 Convicted for Comp Fraud Last Month
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 | 0
A Zaneville truck driver who worked for his brother’s business while collecting workers’ compensation benefits was one of seven people convicted for workers’ compensation fraud in December, according to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
Douglas J. Krouskoupf, 53, pleaded guilty in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to first-degree misdemeanor workers’ compensation fraud, the bureau’s Special Investigations Unit said. He was ordered to pay $7,924 in restitution and sentenced to 180 days in jail.
Investigators said Krouskoupf worked for his brother’s sandblasting business on multiple occasions and also drove a semi-truck while collecting disability benefits from the BWC. He had been injured at work while employed as a truck driver in February 2014.
Also convicted in December were:
- Jason Dudas, of Mentor, who pleaded guilty to one count of workers' compensation fraud. He worked as a handyman while receiving benefits, the BWC said, and was ordered to pay $5,073 in restitution and serve three years' probation.
- Gabriel Seda, of Grafton, pleaded guilty to workers' compensation fraud after he was found to be working as a landscaper while receiving BWC benefits. He was ordered to reimburse BWC $33,960 and was sentenced to five years of probation in lieu of a year in prison.
- John House, Chris Kraft and Lynn Howard, owners of the Old Crow Bar, of Middletown, each pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after BWC discovered they weren’t carrying workers' compensation coverage on their business. House was sentenced to 10 days in jail, fined $200 and ordered to pay $90 in court costs. Kraft and Howard were both sentenced to one day in jail, fined $100 and ordered to pay $90 in court costs.
- Brian Lang, doing business as Outdoor Inspirations, of Holland, pleaded guilty to attempted failure to comply with the law after BWC discovered him running a business without workers’ compensation coverage. A judge scheduled sentencing for Jan. 28 after Lang paid $5,304 toward the balance he owes BWC.
- Beth Turner, doing business as Flashions Ltd., of Springfield, pleaded guilty to failure to comply after BWC found her operating her business without workers' compensation coverage. Turner was fined $100 and ordered to pay court costs.
Comments