Related Federal Cases
Ohio Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud
COLUMBUS, Ohio – John R. Cacaro, 58, of West Chester, Ohio, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering as part of a scheme to defraud the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for his own personal gain.
Cacaro, the owner of Employers Choice Plus, LLC, a company classified by the Ohio BWC as a Professional Employment Organization (PEO), admitted to underreporting more than $425,000 in workers’ compensation premiums between 2011 and 2013.
According to court documents, Cacaro understated the payroll by millions of dollars, which resulted in a lesser amount of premiums owed to the Ohio BWC. He used the profits of the scheme to fund lavish personal purchases, including a second residence in Naples, Fla. and a motor home.
“John Cacaro lined his pockets with the hard-earned money of his clients and systematically defrauded the Ohio BWC,” said Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner. “Now he is a convicted felon and must repay the stolen money.”
As part of his plea agreement, Cacaro has agreed to pay the total amount of $425,246.58 in restitution. Wire fraud is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison and money laundering is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman commended the investigation of this case by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Jessica H. Kim, who is prosecuting the case.
“Anyone who cheats BWC to enrich themselves is driving up the cost of the whole system, and that hurts all of us,” said Director Jim Wernecke. “It hurts employers who follow the law and play by the rules, and it hurts the injured workers who rely on us to help them get back to work and back to their lives as soon as safely possible.”
Cacaro’s sentencing is scheduled for a later date. He faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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