County Employee Not Guilty of WC Fraud

An Indian River County. Fla., jury found a former county employee not guilty on charges of workers’ compensation fraud, perjury in an official proceeding and third-degree grand theft.

Ernest Rider of Falls Creek, Pa., a heavy-equipment operator, filed a notice of injury with the county on March 23, 1987. Rider reported stepping onto a mixer, slipping and falling onto his back.

Patrick MacRae, Rider’s Vero Beach, Fla. attorney, told the Vero Beach Press Journal the accident left his client permanently disabled.

During an insurance audit of permanently disabled beneficiaries, questions were raised about whether Rider had recovered, MacRae said.

Court records indicate Rider, who was receiving $732.50 in benefits every two weeks plus medical costs from the Florida League of Cities, was placed under surveillance in 2002.

Videotapes presented at trial showed Rider hauling buckets of feed and working on a bulldozer, Assistant State Attorney Adam Chrzan said. After a two-day trial, the jury found Rider not guilty.