Omak, Gig Harbor men ordered to repay workers' comp system
TUMWATER - The state has ordered two men to repay workers' compensation benefits after independent investigations showed benefits were collected illegally.
The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) ordered 44-year-old Sean P. Walter of Omak to repay $9,093 in benefits collected fraudulently from March 11, 1999 through July 16, 1999. State law allows for an additional 50 percent penalty, bringing the repayment order to $13,639.
An investigation was triggered after a computer cross-match with the Department of Employment Security. The investigation showed Walter worked as a construction worker in Okanogan, Washington, while receiving workers' compensation disability benefits.
Walter was receiving benefits for an April 1998 injury sustained while working as a sales manager for Discflo Corp., based in El Cajon, CA.
L&I also ordered 53-year-old Dan L. Warren of Gig Harbor to repay $11,324 for benefits collected fraudulently from July 10, 1999 through Dec. 8, 1999. Warren also was issued a 50 percent penalty, bringing the repayment order to $16,986.
Warren was receiving workers' compensation benefits for a June 25, 1998 injury he sustained while working as an office manager for Silverdale Transmissions Inc. located in Silverdale.
An investigation showed Warren had been working for a transmission company in Bellevue while receiving workers' compensation disability benefits.
L&I manages the state's workers' compensation system. It provides coverage for more than 163,000 employers and 1.9 million workers.
L&I is committed to preventing and fighting fraud. Anyone who suspects fraudulent activity may report it anonymously to L&I by calling 360-902-6548 or online at fraud.lni.wa.gov
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