GUILTY PLEA ENTERED Gallia Woman Pleads Guilty To Workers' Compensation Fraud
Reported by: Bethany Simmons
Web Producer: Bethany Simmons
Reported: May. 10, 2012 11:45 AM EDT
Updated: May. 10, 2012 12:41 PM EDT
Eyewitness News Photo
Columbus
, Ohio
A Gallia County woman who is already serving a federal prison sentence, pleads guilty to her role in workers' compensation fraud.
According to a release from Ohio's Bureau of Workers' Compensation, Maria Patterson plead guilty to one felony count of both fraud and forgery earlier this week.
The release also says that BWC's Special Investigations Department (SID) opened an investigation after receiving an allegation from a BWC employee who suspected that Patterson submitted false information.
The investigation revealed that Patterson did falsify three forms by forging her doctor's name and misrepresenting her dates of disability. As a result, she was paid benefits that she would not have been eligible to receive.
Franklin County Judge Guy Reece sentenced Patterson to 180 days incarceration on each count and ordered her to pay $7,450.00 dollars in restitution.
Patterson is currently serving a 9-year sentence for unrelated charges of burglary, theft, tampering with evidence, and breaking and entering.
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Bethany Simmons
