McDonald man convicted of Worker’s Compensation fraud

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Michael Buckner, 28, of Illinois Avenue in McDonald was sentenced earlier this month in Franklin County Common Pleas Court after investigators with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation caught him on video working while he was receiving benefits after a workplace injury.

Buckner pleaded guilty last November to one count of workers’ compensation fraud, a fifth-degree felony.

“In this case, a tip is what enabled our investigators to catch Buckner in the act of committing fraud,” said Steve Buehrer, BWC administrator and CEO. “We encourage anyone who suspects claimant-, employer- or medical-provider fraud to contact us immediately.”

BWC received an allegation that Buckner reported to his BWC medical appointments with heavily callused hands and dirt under his fingernails and that he may have worked while receiving temporary total-disability benefits. Claimants are not permitted to work while receiving this type of benefit, according to a BWC news release.

Buckner was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to find full-time employment and to repay $21,643 in restitution to BWC. Wages will be garnished from his paychecks until the restitution is paid.