Bucks Co. Employee Charged In Workers' Comp Fraud Case

DOYLESTOWN, PA — A Bucks County employee is facing multiple charges after authorities allege he accepted nearly a year's worth of workers' compensation while running fishing tours along Pennsylvania rivers.

Carl Stokes, a 51-year-old prison guard employed by Bucks County, had been receiving workers' compensation since Nov. 1, 2017 due to a reported injury, according to an affidavit of probable cause. He was charged Tuesday with five third-degree felonies, including workman's compensation insurance fraud, filing a false insurance claim, and theft by deception, among other charges.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Stokes worked for Reel River Adventures doing fishing tours along the Delaware River and other places in Pennsylvania. Various posts on Facebook said Stokes was offering tours through the company, according to the affidavit. He is also listed as one of the company's guides on the PA Fish & Boat Commission website.

In June, two undercover officers purchased a half-day trip with Stokes for $240. On that trip, Stokes told the undercover officers that as a fishing guide, he had "the best job in the world," the affidavit said.

On the trip, Stokes moved around the boat "without restriction" and assisted officers with fishing, the affidavit said. He allegedly told the officers he had multiple fishing trips booked throughout the summer.

During a follow-up interview with detectives, Stokes denied being paid as a fishing guide, however, a search of financial records indicated he had accepted payment, the affidavit said.

His preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 29.

The case was referred to the District Attorney’s Office through the Bucks County Controller’s Office.

“I pledged to protect the taxpayers who work hard for their money, and I will continue to look for instances where they are not receiving value for their tax dollars," Bucks County Controller Neale Dougherty said in a statement.

The Controller’s office has set up a hotline for anyone wishing to make a report, which can be filed anonymously. The hotline is 267-884-5922.

Image via Bucks County DA