Maine Man Gets 8 Months for Workers’ Comp Fraud

A 49-year-old Maine man who was accused of working under the table for Saco-area hotels while collecting workers’ compensation benefits has been sentenced to eight months in jail for theft by deception.

Kenneth Villella, who was sentenced last week in Superior Court, allegedly collected more than $11,000 in lost wage benefits for total incapacity following an on-the-job injury at an excavation company.

The Attorney General’s Office said the case is the second of its kind in two weeks to result in jail time. Thirty-seven-year-old Landon Logsdon of Portland was sentenced last week to six months.

Attorney General Janet Mills vowed to continue to seek jail time against those who submit fraudulent claims to the Workers’ Compensation Board.