Ohio Woman Pleads Guilty to Workers’ Comp Fraud, Owes $94K

A Youngstown, Ohio, woman has been ordered to repay the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) nearly $94,000 in workplace injury benefits she collected illegally.

The Ohio BWD reported that Zelma Forro pleaded guilty to workers’ compensation fraud in the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas.

BWC’s Special Investigations Department began investigating Forro after receiving an allegation from a confidential source who reported she was working for Home Savings and Loan bank during the same period of time she was on permanent total disability following a workplace injury. The source reported that Forro was working in the capacity of an independent contractor for this business, rather than a direct bank employee.

BWC investigators obtained documented evidence supporting the allegation that Forro was employed as an independent contractor for Home Savings and Loan bank. Forro was assessing distressed properties, completing property inspections, evaluating the general condition and obtaining the current photographs of such properties. Investigators relied on financial records, surveillance operations, and field interviews to substantiate this allegation.

Zelma Forro pleaded guilty Jan. 29 to a fourth-degree felony count of workers’ compensation fraud. She was sentenced March 11 to 18 months in jail, suspended for three years of community control under the condition that she pay restitution totaling $93,912.24.

Source: Ohio BWC