Ohio Attorney Pleads Guilty to Workers’ Comp Fraud
An Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) investigation found a Medina attorney conspired to commit fraud by employing an injured worker she was representing in a workers’ compensation case.
Natalie Grubb pleaded guilty to fraud in a Franklin County courtroom Jan. 28 and paid nearly $15,000 in restitution, the BWC said.
BWC’s Special Investigations Department began investigating after receiving a tip that an injured worker was working for Grubb while receiving disability benefits following a workplace injury. The worker had been injured as a truck driver.
Investigators said the worker Grubb was representing was employed in her office as an assistant. Employment with Grubb was confirmed by a statement from the worker herself and interviews with former employees.
Grubb initially denied the allegations but eventually pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of complicity to commit workers’ compensation fraud. Grubb paid $7,709.92 in restitution and $6,731.55 in investigative costs upfront, and an additional $500 fine imposed by the court.
Grubb was referred to the disciplinary counsel of the Ohio Supreme Court.
