Ohio:A 50-year-old Ghanaian national residing in the United States, Betty Boateng, has been sentenced to a 12-month suspended sentence in Ohio after pleading guilty to defrauding the system by false pretenses.
According to Ghana Web, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) conducted an investigation through its Special Investigations Department, which revealed that Boateng had been receiving disability benefits while simultaneously working for two employers providing non-medical in-home care services.
The investigation determined that Boateng fraudulently returned to work for multiple employers during the periods she was receiving benefits, leading to improper payments totaling $53,278.40. On September 23, 2026, the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas accepted her guilty plea and sentenced her to 12 months of suspended imprisonment, along with 60 months of community control. She was also required to repay the full amount of $53,278.40 to the BWC and meet mandatory reporting requirements, although fines were waived and only court costs were imposed.
Stephanie McCloud, the BWC Administrator, emphasized the agency's commitment to preventing fraud and safeguarding funds for eligible workers, stating that fraud undermines the integrity of the workers' compensation system and harms honest Ohio workers and employers.