OH BWC Secures Six Convictions in May

Columbus, OH (WorkersCompensation.com) - Five Ohio workers and one business owner were convicted in May on workers’ compensation fraud and related charges, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation reported today.

The six convictions raise BWC’s total convictions for the 2019 calendar year to 38.

“When people cheat the BWC system, they are cheating the employers and hard-working Ohioans across this state who play by the rules,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud. “Congratulations to our special investigations department for stopping this fraudulent behavior.”

In order of most recent case, those convicted include:

Bruce Collier of Chardon, Ohio

BWC investigators found Collier working as a self-employed travel agent/owner of Travel Specialist Group while receiving BWC benefits. Collier pleaded guilty May 21 to one count of workers’ compensation fraud, a first-degree misdemeanor. He was sentenced to pay BWC $12,487 in restitution, which he paid at the time of sentencing.

James Nichols of Cleveland, Ohio

BWC investigators found Nichols working as a janitor and office manager while collecting BWC benefits. Nichols pleaded guilty May 13 to one count of workers’ compensation fraud, a first-degree misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail, suspended for two years of community control. He was ordered to pay BWC $3,525 in restitution. He made a $1,000 payment at sentencing.

Deborah Rosenlieb of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Rosenlieb pleaded guilty May 9 in Summit County Common Pleas Court to workers’ compensation fraud, a fourth-degree felony, after investigators found her collecting her late father’s BWC benefits for two years. A judge ordered her to pay BWC $29,418 in restitution and serve two years of community service.

Jesse Lemaster, dba Lemaster Tree Care, Springfield, Ohio

Lemaster pleaded guilty May 8 to two counts of failure to comply, both second-degree misdemeanors, for operating his business without a valid BWC policy. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail on each charge, which was suspended pending a July 10 hearing, at which time he is to prove to the court he has valid workers’ compensation coverage.

Natasha Mitchum of Youngstown, Ohio

Mitchum pleaded guilty May 2 in Franklin County Common Pleas Court to workers’ compensation fraud, a first-degree misdemeanor, after BWC found her working as a call center employee/customer service representative while receiving disability benefits. She was sentenced to 180 days in jail, suspended for three years of community control, and ordered to pay BWC $1,863 in restitution.

John Griggy of Canton, Ohio

Griggy pleaded guilty May 1 to one count of workers’ compensation fraud, a first-degree misdemeanor, after BWC found him working as a self-employed electrician while receiving BWC benefits. Prior to sentencing, Griggy paid BWC full restitution in the amount of $54,220.

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