Quote of the day
"You always have people who will take advantage of a disaster situation. We're urging people to be vigilant, and we're patrolling the area to check on contractor licenses."
Doug Ropel, California Contractors State License Board investigator, about builder fraud in the Lake Tahoe area.
Oregon Authorities Fine AIG $5 Million for Workers’ Comp Violations
The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services fines nine insurers owned by American International Group $5 million for numerous violations of state insurance and workers’ compensation laws. AIG, the third-largest workers’ comp insurance provider in Oregon, must pay $1 million of the fine within 45 days but regulators have suspended the remaining $4 million on certain conditions. Portland Business Journal
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Investigators Comb Tahoe Area for Builder Fraud
The California Contractors State License Board says it has checked out dozens of contractors that have descended on the Lake Tahoe area to take advantage of post-Angora Fire reconstruction, and has asked about nine of every 10 to leave the area. Investigators are ensuring the contractors are complying with regulations including workers’ compensation coverage. By Frank X. Mullen, Reno Gazette-Journal
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Ohio BWC Oversight Member Admits Ethics Charges
Cleveland NAACP President George Forbes pleads guilty to four misdemeanor ethics charges of filing filed false financial disclosure statements, and “no contest” to two misdemeanor conflict-of-interest charges stemming from a investigation of investment practices at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The plea deal, which includes a $12,000 fine and 60 hours of community service, does not prohibit prosecutors from pursuing more serious charges as the BWC investigation continues.
Go to the full story by Mark Rollenhagen, Cleveland Plain Dealer
Go to the full story by AP via WTOL-TV (Toledo)
Go to the full story by Laura A. Bischoff, Dayton Daily News [With Audio]
Canadian Prison Guard Sues for Harassment
A former Nova Scotia prison guard sues a correctional institution for more than $330,000 USD for various alleged damages including medical expenses and lost wages he says he incurred because he felt constantly harassed by bosses and co-workers until he was forced to quit. The case is one example of a huge problem for the industry. By Hermann Schwind, Chronicle Herald (Halifax)
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Private Regime Saves S.A. Governments Millions
Local governments in South Australia have saved more than $100 million USD over the past 21 years through the private Local Government Association Workers Compensation Scheme. One official says claims decreased by 6 percent last year — for the 14th straight year. By Tom Zed, Adelaide Advertiser
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