Man sentenced for workers compensation fraud
27 February 2023
Robert Stephen Kovacs of Blacktown has been convicted and sentenced to an 18 month Community Correctional Order for defrauding the NSW workers compensation scheme.
Mr Kovacs was also ordered to pay restitution of $22,675.88 to the Workers Compensation Insurance Fund, and prosecution costs of $9,346.95.
SIRA prosecuted Mr Kovacs on a charge of obtaining a financial advantage by deception/dishonesty under section 192E(1)(b) of the NSW Crimes Act 1900. The charge followed an investigation by SIRA that revealed he failed to report a change of his employment status to the insurer while receiving workers compensation benefits.
SIRA Chief Executive Adam Dent said the worker had knowingly defrauded the NSW workers compensation system.
“Wilful acts of fraud where workers double dip, can undermine the ability of the workers compensation scheme to provide care and support for genuinely injured workers,” Mr Dent said.
“SIRA has, and will continue to, investigate and prosecute allegations of fraud against the NSW workers compensation scheme.
“Prosecutions like this one send a clear message of deterrence.”
SIRA’s investigation revealed Mr Kovacs was injured at work in March 2018 and began receiving weekly workers compensation benefits in May 2018, with payments backdated to the time of his injury. In November that year he started work with another employer but failed to disclose this to his workers compensation insurer. Mr Kovacs continued to receive the benefits from his claim until July 2019.
As a result of his failure to tell the insurer of his change of employment status, Mr Kovacs received $22,675.88 between November 2018 and July 2019 to which he was not entitled and has now been ordered to repay.
Mr Kovacs pleaded guilty to the charge in November 2022 and was sentenced on 24 January 2023 at the Downing Centre Local Court.
Magistrate Price found it was a serious offence and noted Mr Kovacs remorse and contrition.
Mr Kovacs has the right to appeal the sentence.