Because of some savvy sleuthing by a special investigationsunit, a man who defrauded the workers' compensation system foryears will now pay nearly $60,000 in restitution.

Adam Osterman of Monroe, Ohio pleaded guilty on Feb. 13 inthe Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to one count of workers'compensation fraud, a fifth-degree felony for collecting workers'comp death benefits to which he was not entitled.

“As the son of a worker killed on the job, Mr. Osterman waseligible to receive death benefits up to age 25, if he enrolled atan accredited educationalinstitution,” reports Ohio BWC Administrator/CEOSteve Buehrer. “Our investigators found that he submitted proof ofenrollment at a community college in Dayton, but didn't attendclasses or dropped the classes afterward. Thanks to the hard workof our special investigations department, the money Mr. Ostermanimproperly received will be returned to the BWC.”

Investigators opened a case after receiving an allegation thatOsterman bragged about enrolling in classes and dropping them toreceive BWC death benefits. They found that from 2010 to2012, Osterman submitted documentation indicating that he wasenrolled in community college classes, but either did not attend ordropped the classes altogether after submitting documentation tothe BWC.

The court has placed Osterman was placed on community controlfor five years. Conditions of his community control includerepaying $59,213.83 in restitution to the BWC, obtaining andmaintaining employment, and paying court costs. Osterman willserve 8 months in prison if these terms are violated.