Former Postal Employee Pleads Guilty To Workers' Comp Fraud

Syracuse, NY (WorkersCompensation.com) - Richard S. Hartunian, United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, announced recently that Thomas Dombroski, age 53, of North Syracuse, New York entered a guilty plea, Thursday, June 21, 2012, in U.S. District Court in Syracuse, New York before the Hon. Norman A. Mordue, U.S. District Court Judge.

Dombroski, a former letter carrier with the U.S. Post Office in East Syracuse, N.Y., admitted to defrauding the U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Department of Labor of $18,353.54 by making false statements and representations to obtain federal workers compensation benefits. The offense carries a maximum sentence of 5 years incarceration, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of three years, and a special assessment of $100.

In entering his guilty plea, Dombroski admitted that he falsely represented that he was not employed, self-employed, or involved in any business enterprise during periods of time in 2010 and 2011 when he was collecting federal workers compensation benefits. He was receiving benefits based upon a claimed injury to his right shoulder that he said made him unable to use his right arm. In fact, Dombroski worked for his own company, Picture Perfect Contractors, installing and repairing roofs and providing general home repair services during the times he collected benefits. Agents videotaped Dombroski installing roofs, carrying building materials, repairing gutters, loading and carrying logs and firewood, carrying cement cinder blocks, and lifting a 55-pound air compressor.

Sentencing has been set for October 24, 2012, in Syracuse, New York. This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

Share This Article: