Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty to Workers’ Comp Charges

March 18, 2015

A Tulsa County man pleaded guilty to two felony counts of workers’ compensation fraud after charges were brought by Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt’s Workers’ Compensation, Social Security and Insurance Fraud Unit.

Joseph Max Hutton, 20, a first-time offender, was offered to serve a five-year deferred sentence and is ordered to pay more than $7,000 in restitution, the AG’s office announced.

Hutton said while working for a car dealership in June 2013, he was struck by a vehicle driven by a co-worker. Hutton claimed his back, left leg, hip and tail bone were all injured.

While skipping a scheduled doctor’s appointment, Hutton was videoed playing golf and swinging a golf club without showing any sign of injury. An agent with the attorney general’s office showed the video to an orthopedic doctor and physical therapist that had previously treated Hutton for his injuries.

Both medical professionals confirmed Hutton’s actions on the golf course were inconsistent with the physical presentation he made at each of their offices.

Hutton later admitted to an agent he could have returned to work earlier but chose not to.

Source: Oklahoma AG’s Office

Topics Workers' Compensation Oklahoma

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