Wallingford Woman Collected $60K In Workers' Comp While Working As Realtor: Officials

WALLINGFORD, CT — A Wallingford woman is accused of illegally collecting nearly $60,000 in workers’ compensation benefits while she was out on disability from her job as a teacher in Bristol despite working as a real estate agent, according to officials.

Ann Marie Barros, 44, of Tuttle Avenue, was arrested Sept. 24 on a warrant by inspectors from the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit in the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office. She was charged with one count of fraudulent claim or receipt of benefits and one count of first-degree larceny by defrauding a public community.

Authorities said Barros was working with the Bristol school district in February 2019 when she was injured while trying to break up a fight between two students. Barros claimed she suffered injuries to her head, neck and back, according to officials.

“Barros was placed on Temporary Total Disability (TTD) and began receiving TTD benefits from her employer through FutureComp,” officials wrote in a news release. “TTD benefits are wage replacement monies for those who qualify under the program. During that period of benefits, the recipient is considered to have zero work capacity and must inform their employer of any improvements in their injuries. They also are required to report any income beyond the benefits provided.”

Barros received $59,608 in workers’ compensation benefits, according to officials.

Officials said surveillance videos and documentation showed that while out on workers’ compensation, Barros was “gainfully employed as a real estate agent.”

She was released after posting a $10,000 bond with a court date of Sept. 30.