NY Business Owner Charged With WC Application Fraud

Suffolk County, NY (CompNewsNetwork) - A Suffolk County business owner who owes the New York State Insurance Fund more than $20,000 on an insurance policy canceled eight years ago for non-payment is staring at a case of workers' compensation fraud in 2010 after he allegedly had a family member reapply for coverage.

Marc Anassis, 66, of Central Islip, New York, faces a felony charge of fraudulent practices following his arrest by the Suffolk County District Attorney Insurance Crime Unit on May 12.

An investigation by the New York State Insurance Department Frauds Bureau, Suffolk County DA Thomas Spota's Office and NYSIF's Division of Confidential Investigations found that Mr. Anassis allegedly filed a false application for workers' compensation insurance with NYSIF on June 20, 2008.

Mr. Anassis is the owner of Mana America Sailing Paradise in Patchogue, NY. Investigators said that Mr. Anassis owed NYSIF $22,000 for a workers' compensation policy that NYSIF canceled for non-payment in 2002. They said he owned the company in 2008 when a family member applied to NYSIF for workers' compensation insurance under a different name and address as the owner of the company.

A subsequent audit of the company by NYSIF in 2009 found that Marc Anassis was the actual owner of the business and president of the corporation. As such, investigators said, Mr. Anassis allegedly defrauded NYSIF for the full amount he owed on his previous policy.

Criminal complaints and indictments are accusations only. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Share This Article: