Duane C. Hayes, of Utica, N.Y., was an aide at the New York Psychiatric Center. Now, he has been charged with falsifying business records, criminal possession of a forged instrument and attempted petty larceny.

Celebrate excellence in insurance. Join us at the Insurance Business Awards in Chicago on October 26.

According to New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott, Hayes submitted a false claim to his insurer that said he was out of work due to an injury from February 10 to June 15, 2016. He did this in an attempt to receive benefit payments from the insurers. However, investigators allegedly found that Hayes was at work for at least four of the days he claimed to be absent.

“This defendant is charged with abusing benefit systems in place that were meant to help him through a difficult time, not enrich his bottom line,” Leahy said. “I will use all the resources at my disposal to put a stop to any fraud against the critical systems in place that are meant to help hard-working New Yorkers.”


Related stories:
High court to decide if workers’ comp should cover pot
Business owner facing jail time over alleged workers’ comp fraud