‘Double dipping’: SIRA prosecutes Sydney man for injury fraud
6 March 2023
The NSW State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) successfully prosecuted an injured worker in Sydney for obtaining a financial advantage by deception/fraud.
Robert Stephen Kovacs, of Blacktown, was convicted and sentenced to an 18-month Community Correctional Order and ordered to pay back $22,676, plus prosecution costs of $9347.
After an on-the-job injury he failed to disclose to his insurer that he began working for another employer and continued to receive benefits.
“Willful fraud where workers are double-dipping can undermine the workers’ compensation scheme’s ability to provide care and support for genuinely injured workers,” said SIRA CEO Adam Dent, and adding that Mr Kovacs had deliberately defrauded the NSW workers’ compensation system, and that his prosecution sends a “clear message of deterrence”.
“SIRA has, and will continue to, investigate and prosecute allegations of fraud against the NSW workers’ compensation scheme.”
Mr Kovacs pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Downing Center Local Court. Magistrate Price found this to be a serious offence, although noted Mr Kovacs’ remorse and remorse.
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