Massachusetts Man Indicted for ‘Working While Collecting’ Under Workers’ Comp

A Milford, Massachusetts man has been indicted on larceny and workers’ compensation fraud charges in connection with allegedly collecting more than $18,000 in disability benefits while he continued to work, according to the office of Attorney General Maura Healey.

Kenneth Doyle, 42, was indicted this week by a Worcester Grand Jury on charges of workers’ compensation fraud and larceny over $250. He will be arraigned in Worcester Superior Court at a later date.

The AG’s Office said it began investigating this matter after it was referred by the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) in August 2015.

“The Insurance Fraud Bureau vigorously pursues these ‘working while collecting’ claims,” said Daniel Johnston, executive director of the Insurance Fraud Bureau . “Working for income while collecting insurance for a total temporary injury at the same time is fraud. Claims like these drive up workers comp benefits for everyone.”

According to officials, an investigation revealed that Doyle suffered an injury working as a vinyl siding installer for a Medway-based company in April 2012, and began receiving temporary total disability benefits after filing a workers’ compensation claim. While collecting benefits, Doyle allegedly owned and operated his own siding and windows business, Doyle Siding & Window Co. Inc. As early as May 2012, he allegedly began collecting payments for work done by his company and performed siding and roofing work, receiving more than $76,000 in checks from homeowners and contractors.

According to officials, he did not report these earnings to the insurance carrier and affirmatively stated that he was not working.

Authorities allege that Doyle collected $20,743 in disability benefits between April 2012 and February 2013, more than $18,000 of which were collected fraudulently.

This case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Anuj Khetarpal of AG Healey’s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Unit, with assistance from Senior Investigator Philip Mantyla of the Attorney General’s Office and Investigator Nora Saint-Martin from the IFB.

Topics Fraud Workers' Compensation Massachusetts