Media Release
IWIF Communications:
Claudia Ciolfi, 410-494-2193
Jim Taylor, 410-494-2023
cciolfi@iwif.com
jtaylor@iwif.com

IWIF checks lacrosse-playing claimant, discovers fraud

(TOWSON, MD)—Maryland’s Injured Workers’ Insurance Fund recently reported a 36-year-old claimant had pleaded guilty to felony theft against IWIF in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court. The Baltimore resident received a 60-day suspended sentence, an order to pay $12,600 in restitution to IWIF and placed on 36 months supervised probation.

The charges followed a joint investigation by IWIF and the office of the State’s Attorney for Anne Arundel County. Records indicate IWIF paid the injured worker $72,296.59 in temporary total disability benefits from Sept. 14, 2002 through Oct. 29, 2004 and provided vocational rehabilitation benefits whereby he was retrained as a software/web designer.

The investigation found the claimant had been gainfully employed as a web designer and as an assistant varsity wrestling coach for a nearby high school while collecting benefits from IWIF. IWIF’s Special Investigations Unit also videotaped the claimant engaged in activities associated with coaching as well as playing full contact men’s lacrosse.

The Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission denied the claimant’s request for additional benefits. The Commissioner also granted IWIF a $15,000 credit for benefits paid to the claimant.

Established in 1914, IWIF is the largest provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Maryland.