Massachusetts Man Indicted in Connection with $110K Workers’ Comp Fraud Scheme

A Worcester, Mass., man who operated a temporary employment agency was indicted in connection with a scheme to evade more than $110,000 in workers’ compensation premiums, according to a press release issued by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey’s office.

Sovane Kien was indicted by a Worcester County Grand Jury for six counts of workers’ compensation fraud, five counts of larceny of more than $250 and one count of larceny of more than $1,200. He will be arraigned in Worcester Superior Court on October 22.

The AG’s Office alleges that from August 2012 through August 2018, Kien, who owns and operates People’s Temp Service Inc. in Worcester, substantially underreported its number of employees and the amount that it paid these employees in response to audits conducted by the company’s workers’ compensation insurance provider. As a result, People’s Temp evaded approximately $111,856 in insurance premiums.

These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

AG Healey’s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Unit works to protect consumers and the integrity of the insurance system by investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against all types of insurers, including the state’s unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation systems.

Source: The Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General