DALLAS, Texas – In a shocking scheme to defraud the worker’s compensation program, Tonya Evans, 52, a former U.S. Postal Service employee, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $98,888.73 in restitution.
Evans and co-defendant, McArthur Baker, 69, both of Dallas, were each convicted following a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay on one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. with respect to claims and one count of false statements or fraud to obtain federal employees’ compensation.
The government presented evidence at trial that Baker and Evans engaged in a scheme to receive kickbacks in exchange for their completion of falsified medical documentation that was used by co-conspirators to defraud DOL’s OWCP.
Evans began working for the U.S. Postal Service in November 1985; she worked as a clerk primarily with the parcel post distribution machine. She filed disability claims in August 2001, August 2003, and August 2008 claiming that she suffered from various injuries.
As a result of these claims, Evans was placed on worker’s compensation in 2001. She received more than $340,000 in worker’s compensation payments. In March 2010, she applied for disability retirement that was approved in October 2011.
Baker began working for the U.S. Postal Service in 1982; he was assigned to work as a mail handler equipment operator. Between 1984 and 2007, Baker filed eight different claims for disability, claiming he suffered from various injuries.
Convicted co-conspirator, Larry Washington, was a licensed professional counselor and ran several businesses known as AAA Mental Health, LLC, Mind Spa, Inc., Solutions Health and Rehabilitation, and Convergence Emergence Diversion.
Baker received a total of at least $3,000 from Washington; Evans received at least $6,000. As a result of Baker’s falsified documentation, Washington was able to fraudulently bill $105,125 from OWCP, while Evans’ falsified documentation allowed Washington to bill an unspecified amount.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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