McMenamy’s owner pleads guilty to worker’s compensation fraud

Staff report

WARREN

The owner of McMenamy’s Restaurant pleaded guilty in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court on Monday after his company was accused of failing to pay workers’ compensation premiums.

McMenamy’s LLC pleaded guilty to one count of workers’ compensation fraud, a fourth-degree felony with a potential fine of $10,000.

Assistant Prosecutor Chuck Morrow said the company agreed to repay the $13,000 in premiums it failed to pay the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation between July 2012 and June 2015.

Robert Leonard, 68, of Niles, the owner of the restaurant and banquet center, also pleaded guilty to one count of attempted worker’s compensation fraud. The charge is a first-degree misdemeanor and Leonard could face up to 180 days in jail after a pre-sentence investigation.

Morrow said the prosecutor became aware of the infraction when the state Bureau of Workers’ Compensation contacted the office to report the nonpayment.

Earlier this year, the banquet center closed leaving local brides scrambling for new venues for their wedding receptions.

The company also filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in May 2012, according to Vindicator files. The failure to pay workers’ compensation premiums began in July 2012.