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Dancing, beekeeping ex-logger toppled over bogus claims

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Washington

A former logger in Washington who claimed to be unable to work after two work injuries more than a decade ago has been charged with felony first-degree theft after an investigation into his workers compensation claims found that he had been working as a beekeeper, according to the Seattle Patch.

An anonymous tip led Washington Department of Labor & Industries investigators to surveil James Joseph Thomasson, of Cowlitz County, Washington, who reportedly told his doctor he knew the department was watching him, according to the Patch.

In turn, L&I says an undercover investigation quickly confirmed those claims, as agents found multiple videos of him dancing, lifting heavy pipes and doing other activities he claimed he couldn’t. They also said Mr. Thomasson would limp his way into the doctor’s office, but would leave walking regularly, according to the report.

Investigators then presented their findings to Mr. Thomasson’s medical provider, who found that he had “engaged in well-executed intentional underperformance” of his mobility, and that he likely could have been able to work starting in March 2016. The man is now facing up to a decade in prison and $320,000 in fees and restitution.

 

 

 

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