COLUMBUS — A Zanesville man and former county deputy sheriff must reimburse the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation nearly $235,000 in restitution following his felony conviction for workers’ compensation fraud Monday in a Franklin County courtroom.
A judge ordered Gregory A. Fitzer, 56, to pay BWC $211,536 in restitution and $23,187 in investigative costs after Fitzer pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree felony charge of workers’ compensation fraud. She also ordered the former Muskingum County deputy sheriff to serve four years of probation in lieu of a year in jail.
“Our investigators found Mr. Fitzer knowingly and with fraudulent intent deceived our agency and his physicians in order to receive disability benefits,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud.
Acting on a tip, BWC’s Special Investigations Department discovered Fitzer worked as a process server and investigator for several law firms in and around Zanesville from January 2007 to March 2016 while collecting disability benefits from BWC. The investigation, which included surveillance, multiple interviews and a review of bank and employment records, also found he worked as a truck driver and laborer for a local retailer.
In other fraud news:
BWC secured eight fraud-related convictions in August, bringing 2019’s total to 63. They include a Central Ohio nurse practitioner convicted on health care fraud charges.
BWC assisted in the investigation that led to the Aug. 30 sentencing of nurse practitioner Amy Wood-Kirk of Grove City and fiancé Ryan Edney on one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Wood-Kirk prescribed large quantities of medications, including prescriptions for compounded pain cremes, outside acceptable medical standards for the personal profit of herself and Edney.
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio sentenced Wood-Kirk to five years of probation and ordered her and Edney to repay Medicaid, TriCare, and Medical Mutual of Ohio $751,809 in restitution. Wood-Kirk was also sentenced to 180 days home confinement.
In order of most recent court appearance, other August convictions include:
Jim Hesler, dba Robert’s Roofing, Batavia, Ohio
Hesler was found guilty Aug. 23 in Clermont County Common Pleas Court on two counts of workers’ compensation fraud, both fifth-degree felonies. BWC investigated Hessler after learning he had not been reporting his payroll to the agency and several injury claims had been filed.
Investigators found his business was still in operation. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 8, at which time a judge may determine the amount of restitution owed BWC.
Eric Johnson, Akron, Ohio
Johnson pleaded guilty Aug. 22 to one count of workers’ compensation fraud, a first-degree misdemeanor, after BWC found him working while receiving disability benefits. Prior to entering the plea, Johnson deposited full restitution of $1,062 at the clerk of court’s office.
Gregory White, dba White’s Auto Care LLC, Lorain, Ohio
White pleaded no contest Aug. 22 to one count of failure to comply, a second-degree misdemeanor, for not reinstating his BWC policy while operating his business. A second count was dismissed as White had brought his BWC account current prior to court. White was ordered to pay court costs of $167.
Everett Ferryman, Marysville, Ohio
Ferryman pleaded guilty Aug. 21 to one count of workers’ compensation fraud, a fifth-degree felony, after BWC discovered him working as a truck driver and receiving cash “under the table” while receiving BWC disability benefits. The court sentenced him to a term of probation not to exceed five years but could terminate sooner upon payment of $22,851 in restitution. The court also imposed a suspended sentence of 12 months in prison.
Tammy Hill, Jackson, Ohio
Hill pleaded guilty Aug. 12 in Jackson County Municipal Court to theft by deception, a first-degree misdemeanor, after BWC found her cashing BWC benefit checks belonging to an injured worker. A judge ordered Hill to serve up to five years of probation, complete 500 hours of community service, 180 days in jail (suspended), and pay a $100 fine and court costs within 12 months.
Paul Gall, dba Sun Masters, Brooklyn Heights, Ohio
BWC found Gall had been operating his business, Sun Masters LLC, without BWC coverage since March 2014. In lieu of conviction, Gall entered a payment plan with the Ohio Attorney General’s office after making a down payment of $12,000 toward his $44,000 balance.
Robert McWhorter, New Albany, Ohio
McWhorter pleaded guilty Aug. 7 to one count of workers’ compensation fraud, a fifth-degree felony, after BWC found him working for his landscaping company while receiving BWC disability benefits. A judge ordered McWhorter to pay $9,888 in restitution to BWC and serve one year of probation in lieu of a 6-month jail sentence.
To report suspected workers’ compensation fraud, call 1-800-644-6292 or visit bwc.ohio.gov.
