Man Sentenced to 60 Days for Exaggerating Injuries

Tuesday, August 6, 2019 | 0

A man who was legitimately hurt when hot welding material landed in his ear was sentenced to 60 days in jail for exaggerating the extent of his injury, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced.

Jason G. Smith, 47, received workers’ compensation benefits for his 2014 injury. But the Idaho Industrial Commission believed he later exaggerated the extent of his condition.

“Investigators conducted surveillance and observed Smith driving on two occasions around the same time he’d told doctors his injuries prevented him from driving,” the Attorney General’s office said in a statement. “While under oath during a deposition, the defendant perjured himself by misrepresenting his ability to drive.”

Fourth District Court Judge Jason Scott sentenced Smith to a prison sentence of one year but commuted the sentence to 60 days in jail. The jail time can be served with work release.

Smith also has to pay court costs and may be ordered to pay restitution at a later date.