Former Illinois mayor pleads guilty for lying to FBI
A former mayor in southwest Illinois has pleaded guilty to lying to federal agents investigating an illegal business arrangement with another former mayor of the town of Columbia. The scheme involved a referral commission for recommending his insurance company as carrier of Columbia’s casualty loss and workers’ compensation policies. News & Observer
Insurer, company eye settlement of federal lawsuit over workers’ comp coverage
An insurance company and a company consisting of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and his adult children are eyeing a settlement of the former’s federal lawsuit alleging that the latter owes more than $166,000 for claims that it submitted for coverage under workers’ compensation and employers’ liability insurance policies. A U.S. district judge noted earlier this month told the parties they could conclude the settlement process by September 3 or the court would have a hearing on September 10. Charleston Gazette-Mail
Louisiana surgeon pleads guilty to fraud scheme
A Lake Charles, Louisiana orthopedic surgeon has pleaded guilty to his involvement in a workers’ compensation fraud scheme intended to defraud both federal and private workers’ compensation insurers by overbilling for unnecessary medications provided to workers’ comp patients. He reportedly made more than $1,000,000 from the scheme. Orthopedics This Week
Virginia: Employer did not prove safety rule violation
Where a claimant crushed her hand between the walk-behind fork truck she was operating and a metal crate, the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission correctly affirmed the deputy commissioner’s decision to approve claimant’s application for benefits. Virginia Lawyers Weekly [may require registration]