Driver continued claiming compensation payments despite already returning to work
A truck driver has been ordered to repay more than $70,000 that he received from compensation payments after lying about not returning to work after an injury.
Simon Stott received weekly workers compensation payments after getting seriously injured in a crash in 2014 when working as an interstate truck driver.
However, Stott continued claiming these weekly payments despite already working for five different transport companies between February 2017 and August 2018.
WorkSafe Victoria said Stott lied to his GP, insurer, and an independent medical examiner, telling them that he had not returned to work. According to their investigation, Stott had already earned about $55,000 after working for five different employers since his accident.
His dishonesty was only uncovered in December 2018 when Stott posted on social media that he landed a new role as an interstate driver.
Court sentence for dishonesty
Stott pleaded guilty to one charge of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
As a result, he was ordered to repay the $73,062 that he illegally obtained. He is also fined $10,000 and ordered to pay costs of $2,000.
Jason Lardelli, Return to Work Victoria Executive Director, said there was no excuse for Stott's dishonesty.
"Our workers compensation scheme is there to help those who genuinely need it to support their recovery and return to work," he said in a statement.
"The Victorian public expects us to safeguard these funds and those who actively seek to defraud the system by using it for personal gain will be held to account."
