If you keep up with our Investigative Case Highlights, you know people who defraud the workers’ compensation program go out of their way to keep their schemes secret. We previously wrote about a case where a postal employee milked an alleged ankle injury for over 14 years while gainfully employed, and another where our special agents caught an employee dancing the night away while claiming an injury had left him totally disabled. This health care claimant investigation, however, may well take the cake.
On the outside, a Postal Service customer service supervisor in Texas suffered a foot injury while on duty that left her disabled and unable to return to work. Her forms with the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Program (OWCP) claimed she wasn’t working anywhere, didn’t own a business, and received no outside wages. OWCP approved the claims and began sending her almost $3,200 a month, all of which came out of the Postal Service’s pocket.
But on the inside, she was living a secret life.
In hindsight, however, maybe it wasn’t so secret.
She was not only able-bodied, but she was a business owner, a real estate agent, and — get this — an influencer who actively advertised her brand and businesses online.
Our special agents saw her running her tax preparation business, where she managed five employees. She was constantly creating videos and reels to promote her business ventures while touting a healthy lifestyle and earning six to seven figures. And in a video ahead of tax season, she filmed herself doing a kettle bell workout to the tune of the Rocky theme song.
Her real estate business was also seemingly thriving. She showed off the residential listings she rented and sold and welcomed online followers to new showings. And the physical feats didn’t stop there: our special agents collected evidence that showed she had no problem standing on one leg, climbing on and off step stools, running, walking her dog while wearing high heels, and even doing leg squats atop a kitchen counter.
In addition to uncovering her false statements to OWCP, investigators also found the employee had applied for and received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA) while on disability. But thanks to their good work, the gig was about to be up.
After our special agents interviewed her, the employee surrendered to law enforcement and OWCP terminated all her benefits. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years’ supervised release and ordered to pay more than $200,000 directly back to the Postal Service. What’s even more significant is the amount this investigation saved USPS in future fraudulent payments: almost $3,600,000.
It’s no crime to live your best life — but it is if it’s on the Postal Service’s dime. If you suspect or know of workers’ compensation fraud involving Postal Service employees or contractors, please report it to our Hotline.
