Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations News Release

Bob Holden
Governor

Catherine B. Leapheart
Director

Tammy Cavender
Public Information Coordinator

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:  Tammy Cavender (573) 751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 2, 2003

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION’S FRAUD AND NONCOMPLIANCE UNIT RECEIVES AWARDS

Jefferson City, MO – The Fraud and Noncompliance Unit of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Division of Workers’ Compensation received the 2002-2003 Investigative Unit of the Year award, and one of the unit’s members received the 2002-2003 Investigator of the Year award from the Missouri State Investigators Association.

The Fraud and Noncompliance Unit is responsible for investigating all allegations of workers’ compensation fraud and noncompliance throughout the state.  The unit investigates allegations of fraud by employees, employers, attorneys, insurers or physicians.  Noncompliance is the failure by employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance, or to post notice of workers’ compensation at the workplace.  Appropriate cases of fraud and noncompliance are referred to the Attorney General’s Office for prosecution.

The Fraud and Noncompliance Unit earned the honor of Investigative Unit of the Year by attaining several accomplishments over the year.  Achievements include receiving over $432,000 in fines and obtaining 58 criminal prosecutions, both the largest in the Unit’s history.  The Unit also accessed the largest fine ever received ($100,000) and referred 255 complaints for criminal prosecution.

John Dye, Investigator II with the Fraud and Noncompliance Unit, was named 2002-2003 Investigator of the Year.  During the past year, Dye conducted 115 criminal investigations and referred 8 for criminal prosecution.  One of the eight cases sent to the Attorney General’s Office for criminal prosecution involved a case that failed to provide medical care and funding to an injured worker for nearly 14 years.  Dye’s investigation was instrumental in this case and eventually the injured worker was granted the entitled benefits.

The Missouri State Investigators Association is an organization formed to provide a central focal point and provide training for all federal, state, city and county investigators to enhance their investigative skills and improve the quality of services they provide to Missouri citizens.