New York Postal Employee Indicted For Workers Comp Fraud
Richard S. Hartunian, United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, announced today the filing of criminal charges against KIMBERLY MORRIS, 36, of Prospect, New York. A federal grand jury in Syracuse returned an indictment today charging MORRIS with defrauding the U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Department of Labor. MORRIS is alleged to have falsely represented that a work-related injury prevented her from performing any type of duties with the U.S. Postal Service. The indictment alleges that MORRIS was capable of working, and knew she was under an obligation to report her true medical condition to the U.S. Postal Service. Based upon her false representations, MORRIS received $17,362.39 in federal workers’ compensation benefits.
The indictment alleges that MORRIS reported from April 4, 2010 through June 3, 2010, there had been no change in her physical condition and that her sprained ankle prevented her from, among other things: working, operating a motor vehicle, climbing, standing and walking. Based upon those representations, MORRIS remained eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. During the investigation federal agents observed and video-recorded MORRIS exceeding her medical restrictions by shopping, climbing stairs and operating a motor vehicle. This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General. Further information regarding this case can be obtained by contacting Assistant United States Attorney Gwendolyn Carroll at (315) 448-0672.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
I’m going through the same thing right now. OIG Agents intimidated my Dr. into changing my work orders, USPS then tried to force me back to work. My claim has since been closed but I am still being followed on a regular basis, pretty much everywhere I go.
I have submitted Congressional Inquiries into all three agencies involved. I believe that OIG has gone as far as using my phone as well as my roommates phones to track and possibly listen to phone conversations.
This is happening all over the Country. It’s a shame and it shouldn’t be allowed. I am trying to build a class action law suit but I need to get in contact with more employees or are going through the same sort of things.
If anyone has any idea how I can gt in touch with more employees I would love to hear your suggestions.
This story is such a joke! The Prosecution dropped the case because it had no case! Kimberly was under doctors orders to do everyday acitvites to determine if surgery was needed. The Postal Inspectors bullied the doctor and everyone they came in contact with….huh go figure! The doctor eventually recanted his statement and stated that Mrs. Morris was doing as he instructed. The Post Office fired Mrs. Morris on these grounds….for all of you that work for the Postal Service, doesn’t this sound just like them? They jump the gun, intimidate and try to make a story stick that is wrong?