Local Police Reports

Chicago Area Woman Charged in Criminal Workers’ Compensation Scheme


Chicago –(ENEWSPF)–October 18, 2012.  Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced the arrest of a woman for allegedly defrauding several Chicago area employers out of nearly $90,000 in workers’ compensation payments.

Tracy Williams, 43, of McHenry, was arrested late Wednesday on charges of workers’ compensation fraud, aggravated fraud, insurance fraud and perjury.

Madigan’s criminal complaint alleges Williams concocted phony injuries suffered at work and filed fraudulent claims for workers’ compensation benefits at three employers: Mastertek Auto Repair, in Algonquin; Thornton’s Gas Station and Store, in East Dundee; and Johnson’s Controls Inc., in Geneva. Williams is in custody on a $90,000 bond.

“The workers’ compensation system is supposed to cover costs of employees who are injured on the job,” Madigan said. “The evidence in this case shows the defendant was intent on defrauding the system for her own benefit.”

Following its investigation, the Illinois Department of Insurance Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit referred the case to Madigan’s office for prosecution. According to the criminal complaint, Williams filed four workers’ compensation claims over nearly three years, each for thousands of dollars in benefit payments for injuries that never happened. In one instance, Madigan alleges Williams lied about an injury to her left shoulder when she falsely claimed a customer punched her while on the job.

“Workers’ compensation fraud is a serious crime. The Department of Insurance workers’ compensation fraud unit is dedicated to rooting out the theft of benefits. We are pleased to work with the Attorney General to pursue those who defraud the system, hurting taxpayers and beneficiaries alike,” said DOI Director Andrew Boron.

Assistant Attorney General Robin Murphy is handling the case for Madigan’s Special Prosecutions Bureau. 

Source: illinoisattorneygeneral.gov


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