W. Va. Insurance Commissioner Says Employer Owes the State Money

February 15, 2008

W. Va. Insurance Commissioner, Jane L. Cline announced that a West Hamlin man who was indicted on several felony counts of workers’ compensation fraud, pleaded guilty to the charges in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

Cline said Chalmer G. Elkins, 52, was indicted in November 2007 on 14 felony counts of workers’ compensation fraud and one felony count of fraudulent schemes, and pleaded guilty on Feb. 11, 2008 in Kanawha County Circuit Court to two felony counts of workers’ compensation fraud.

According to Cline, Elkins admitted to failing to file premium tax reports for the first and second quarters of 2001. Elkins also agreed that he owes $18,284.19 to the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner in repayment for unpaid workers compensation premiums, as well as $7,759.79 to Emmis Television Broadcasting doing business as WSAZ-TV, Cline said.

Cline added that the restitution to be paid to ETB is money that was paid to remove a mechanic’s lien on EBT’s property resulting from the defendant’s failure to pay for materials. In exchange for this plea, the State has agreed to dismiss the 13 additional counts, Cline said.

Sentencing is set for April 16, 2008 before the Honorable Irene C. Berger, Circuit Judge.

Source: West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner

Topics Fraud Commercial Lines Workers' Compensation Business Insurance Virginia West Virginia

Was this article valuable?

Here are more articles you may enjoy.