A Caulfield South man was convicted and faces the possibility of eight months in jail, for fraudulently obtaining more than $44,000 in workers compensation payments, for making a false declaration in relation to his workplace injury claim and for providing false information.
The Moorabbin Magistrates Court heard that 57 year-old Igor Green was working as a machine operator with a Braeside tooling company in 2004 when he suffered a head injury after being struck by a piece of machinery.
Igor Green’s claim for workers compensation was accepted and he formally declared that he was not engaging in any form of employment while receiving weekly workers compensation payments.
Evidence revealed however, that while in receipt of compensation payments during 2005 and 2006, Igor Green was working as a taxi driver. He was paid in cash for his work. Despite this, Igor Green continued to report to his doctor and other medical practitioners that he had not returned to work.
Igor Green pleaded guilty to one charge of fraudulently obtaining payments, one charge of making a false declaration and six charges of providing false information under the Accident Compensation Act 1985.
He was convicted and ordered to repay the $44,136 in compensation he obtained fraudulently. Igor Green was also sentenced to eight month’s jail, to commence if he commits any further offences in the next 12 months.
WorkSafe Victoria Executive Director, Len Boehm, said any fraud or corruption committed against WorkSafe, however large or small, was a major concern. He added that this case highlights not one but three separate forms of deceit and that Igor Green knew exactly what he was doing.
While most workers are honest, a case like this can threaten to undermine community confidence and support in Victoria’s workers compensation system. He hopes that this case is an eye-opening reminder of the consequences of dishonesty.