Media Advisory: Sept. 9, 2011

Lake County Man Caught on Camera Running Catering Business While on Workers� Comp

Duane Funtash must repay more than $76,000

A surveillance operation conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Workers� Compensation (BWC) Special Investigations Department (SID) landed a Lake County man in a Cuyahoga County courtroom recently to be sentenced for running a business while receiving workers� compensation benefits. Duane Funtash must repay BWC more than $76,000 for fraudulently receiving Temporary Total Disability benefits after the video that was key to his conviction showed he was running Dar�s Catering in Painesville.

�Work of any kind while receiving disability benefits is prohibited, and if an injured worker is able to operate a business, there is a clear question as to whether those benefits are justified,� said BWC Administrator/CEO Stephen Buehrer. �If the rules alone aren�t enough to deter those who would commit fraud, the prospect of being exposed through an investigation may make them think twice.�

SID began surveillance of Funtash after receiving an allegation that his name appeared on a website for Dar�s Catering. The website claimed the company was owned and operated by Funtash�s wife, Regina, however Funtash�s email address was listed as the company contact. Surveillance and undercover operations confirmed that Funtash was operating Dar�s Catering while receiving benefits for a prior workplace injury. Funtash was observed working in every aspect of the business, including coordinating events, cooking and event preparation.

Funtash pleaded guilty in August to a felony count of workers� compensation fraud in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. He was later ordered by Judge Nancy Russo to pay restitution of $67,340.15 and investigative costs of $9,470.69. In addition, he was sentenced to two years of community control, monthly reporting probation and random drug/alcohol testing.

To report suspected workers� compensation fraud, call 1-800-OHIOBWC, visit ohiobwc.com, or visit www.facebook.com/ohiobwcfraud.

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