Article Originally Published Here.
A 72-year-old man who worked as a security officer was arrested Wednesday and charged with illegally collecting benefits after faking an injury in Ridgefield this summer.
New Fairfield resident David Stevenson worked for Securitas Inc., a Danbury-based security services company, according to a report released Friday by the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.
Stevenson’s arrest warrant affidavit alleges that he faked the injury on June 5 while working in his security position at the Boehringer Ingelheim research and development building in Ridgefield.
The security officer claimed he was hurt when he either slipped on a wet floor or tripped on uneven flooring.
However, prosecutors say a video recording directly contradicts Stevenson’s story and shows him intentionally lowering himself onto the floor before lying down in a controlled fashion.
After Stevenson said he was hurt, he was placed in a Temporary Total Disability status by his treating health care provider.
This caused Securitas Inc.’s workers’ compensation carrier to pay Stevenson wage replacement benefits while he claimed to be unable to perform any type of work due to his work-related injury.
According to prosecutors, Sedgwick Claims Management Services paid out wages and benefits for Stevenson in the amount of $1,005.
The alleged scheme was soon after discovered by investigators, however, who sought and obtained a warrant for Stevenson’s arrest.
Stevenson turned himself into the Rocky Hill Police Department on Nov. 5, where he was arrested by inspectors from the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, who presented the warrant charging him.
After being released on a $10,000 non-surety bond, Stevenson is next set to appear in Danbury Superior Court next Friday, Nov. 14.
The case will be prosecuted by the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the State’s Attorney in Rocky Hill.
Prosecutors emphasize that charges are merely accusations unless or until a defendant is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
