Barroom brawler loses in comp fraud case

A Yelm, Washington, man working for a bathroom products manufacturing company pleaded guilty Tuesday to third-degree theft after faking a work injury he actually suffered in a brawl at a local bar, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries announced.  

Chuck Wayne Riccio, who told his employer he hurt his hand while on the job, was caught in the fraud scheme after sending a text to a friend along with a photo of his bandaged hand: “Now L&I will cover it… i kinda said it happened at work,” according to the department. 

Mr. Riccio was at a clinic around the same time he filed the L&I claim, and when he sent the text that his hand hurt from the fight. 

There is no word on whether he won the fight.