A TRUCK driver from Gippsland could be jailed for four months after pleading guilty to fraudulently taking $31,344 in workers compensation payments.
The Ringwood Magistrates Court heard that 60-year old James Nolan was working as a casual truck driver with a Patterson Lakes transport company in 2007 when he suffered an injury to his back at work and attended Dandenong Hospital.
His claim to WorkSafe Victoria for workers compensation was accepted and he formally declared that he was not engaging in any form of employment while receiving weekly compensation payments.
However, WorkSafe Victoria found evidence that while in receipt of compensation payments during 2007 and 2008, Nolan had worked for businesses in Bayswater, Mitcham, Yarra Junction, and Croydon either as a full time truck driver or casual part time truck driver.
Nolan pleaded guilty to one charge of fraudulently obtaining payments and one charge of providing false information on 12 certificates of capacity.
The Ringwood Magistrates Court convicted Nolan, and ordered him to repay the $31,344.72 in compensation he obtained fraudulently. Nolan was also sentenced to four months jail, which would commence if he commits any further offences in the next year.
According to WorkSafe Victoria, it does not tolerate fraudulent behaviour, and will identify and prosecute all who attempt to deceive the system.