It seemed like a good idea at the time. Glenn Jones probably wanted some paid time off so he tried to fake a workplace injury. Unfortunately for him, his employer’s security cameras caught him in the act.
The security video reveals that Jones stomped a hole in a wooden floor the night before he said he was injured and covered the hole with some pieces of wood. On the following day, Jones removed the pieces of wood to reveal the hole and moved some equipment around before he lowered his foot into the hole in the floor and lay down on the platform. He called for help from his coworkers, pretending that his foot had slipped into the hole, causing multiple injuries.
Jones then filed a workers’ compensation claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, but his employer called “Foul!” (Or, should we say, “Fraud!?”)
BWC’s fraud investigators began looking into the matter after the employer complained and provided them with the security video. They interviewed Jones and other employees about the incident.
Jones claimed he suffered a number of injuries from his fall, but the investigation and video evidence confirmed those injuries did not occur as Jones had reported, and that a false claim had been filed.
Jones was charged with filling a false workers’ compensation claim against his employer, a first-degree misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced Sept. 30 in Cleveland Municipal Court on one count of workers’ compensation fraud.
“We’re pleased that the claim was dismissed before any benefits from the State Insurance Fund were paid out,” said Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer. “That fund is intended to care for workers who are truly injured.”
Jones was sentenced to 180 days in jail, which was suspended in lieu of one year’s probation and 80 hours of community service. If he violates probation or fails to perform community service, he will serve the jail sentence.