South Windsor Man Charged With Workers’ Compensation Fraud

ROCKY HILL, CT — A South Windsor man has been charged with illegally collecting workers’ compensation benefits in the amount of $16,239.17 during his employment with the State of Connecticut Department of Correction.

Michael McLeod, 35, was arrested Wednesday by inspectors from the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney. He was charged with fraudulent claim or receipt of benefits, first-degree larceny and defrauding a public community, according to information provided by the Connecticut State Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ).

An arrest warrant affidavit indicates McLeod was injured during the course of his employment as a correction officer and placed on temporary total disability. He began receiving wage replacement benefits paid by the state of Connecticut. During the period of disability, the recipient is considered to be unable to perform any type of work due to the work-related injury and must inform his employer of any medical improvement, and to report any other employment income beyond the benefits provided, according to the DCJ.

While receiving workers’ compensation benefits, McLeod is alleged to have engaged in employment with JetBlue Airway Corporation and failed to disclose his employment and his capacity to work to the Department of Correction, according to the DCJ.

McLeod turned himself in at the Rocky Hill Police Department, and was released on a promise to appear Jan. 11 in Hartford Superior Court.

The case will be prosecuted by the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney in Rocky Hill.