Redmond man ordered to repay state $69,197
TUMWATER - The Department of Labor & Industries has ordered a 35-year-old Redmond man to repay $69,196.96 after an investigation revealed he had collected workers' compensation benefits illegally.
John Arnold Chambers worked as a taxicab driver from July 1998 through last April - a period during which he reported to L&I that he was unable to work because of a job-related injury. The department started its investigation after an anonymous tip was received that Chambers was driving a cab while receiving disability benefits from the state.
Chambers was receiving time-loss benefits for an on-the-job injury he sustained in June 1994 while working for a print-management company in Lynnwood. Time-loss benefits are partial compensation to replace lost wages while a person is injured and out of work.
The order against Chambers includes over $46,000 in time-loss benefits he collected fraudulently, plus more than $23,000 in penalties.
Labor & Industries manages the state's workers' compensation system. It provides coverage for more than 163,000 employers and 1.9 million workers.
L&I is committed to eliminating fraud. Anyone who suspects fraudulent activity may report it anonymously online at fraud.lni.wa.gov, or by calling 1-888-811-5974.
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