RELEASE DATE 02/03/2007
A 48-year old Port Augusta man has pleaded guilty in the Port Augusta Magistrates’ Court to dishonestly claiming WorkCover entitlements.
Anthony John Maguire, a cleaner, alleged that he suffered injuries in August 2006 in a fall at work. Mr Maguire alleged that he sustained injuries to his head, face and right shoulder, and submitted a WorkCover claim.
However, on the night of the alleged fall, Mr Maguire was photographed by the Transcontinental Newspaper at a local hotel. The photographs, taken for the social pages, did not show any evidence of injuries to his face.
Investigations revealed that Mr Maguire sustained the injuries he claimed had occurred at work after the photograph was taken at the hotel that evening - not at work. Mr Maguire later admitted that he had lodged a false claim.
Mr Maguire was convicted and required to enter into a bond of good behaviour for 18 months. A condition of the bond is that he completes 80 hours of community service within six months.
In addition, Mr Maguire is required to reimburse WorkCover $4806, inclusive of legal costs.
“The South Australian Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme exists as a safety net to support the 38,000 South Australians who have their lives affected by workplace injury each year. WorkCover takes issues of fraud and deception very seriously and we will actively pursue and prosecute such incidences,” said Julia Davison.
“People who take advantage of WorkCover are ripping-off injured workers who genuinely need the support of the Scheme, and the employers who fund the Scheme to protect their workers.”
Media contact:
Danielle Martin, WorkCover SA – (08) 8233 2381 or 0418 295 324