Call or email us anytime
(805) 484-0333
Search Guide
Today is Friday, March 29, 2024 -

News Articles

Insurance Agent Accused of Double-Dipping in $233,000 Scam

  • State: Washington
  • Topic: WEST
  • - Popular with: Insurance
  • -  0 shares

The Washington state Department of Labor and Industries said a Lake Stevens man who claimed he was too disabled to work while running his own insurance agency has been charged with felony theft in a $233,000 workers’ compensation scam.

James C. Kooy, 53, pleaded not guilty to first-degree theft Wednesday in Snohomish County Superior Court. Trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 28.

L&I said Kooy started receiving indemnity benefits in 2008 for a knee injury he suffered while working as a heavy equipment operator. In 2010, he filed a claim for a repetitive-motion injury to his shoulder and hands for the same job.

Also in 2010, Kooy is alleged to have opened By the Lake Insurance Inc. and listed himself as the company’s president, registered agent and half owner.

L&I stopped paying indemnity benefits after Kooy’s lawyer in 2010 informed the agency about the business. Later, after Kooy’s lawyer said his client was unable to work and was selling the business, L&I resumed paying indemnity.

In 2015, L&I launched an investigation, saying it learned Kooy never sold the business. The investigation found evidence that Kooy generated $800,000 in revenue from the business between 2010 through 2015.

Kooy allegedly failed to tell his physicians and vocational counselor that he was working, and falsely declared on L&I forms that he was not working. From August 2010 to April 2015, he received more than $233,000 in indemnity benefits, L&I said.

No Comments

Log in to post a comment

Close


Do not post libelous remarks. You are solely responsible for the postings you input. By posting here you agree to hold harmless and indemnify WorkCompCentral for any damages and actions your post may cause.

Advertisements

Upcoming Events

  • May 13-15, 2024

    NCCI's Annual Insights Symposi

    Join us May 13–15, 2024, for NCCI's Annual Insights Symposium (AIS) 2024, the industry’s premier e …

  • Jul 29 – Aug 2, 2024

    76th Annual SAWCA Convention

    SAVE THE DATE! 76th Annual SAWCA Convention July 29 – August 2, 2024 Hotel Effie Sandestin 1 Grand …

  • Aug 14-17, 2024

    CSIMS 2024 Annual Dual Track C

    California Society of Industrial Medicine and Surgery (CSIMS) is combining its two conferences, PI …

Workers' Compensation Events

Social Media Links


WorkCompCentral
c/o Business Insurance Holdings, Inc.
PO Box 1010
Greenwich, CT 06836
(805) 484-0333