Eleka Goncz
March 4, 2026
CENTRAL SQUARE, N.Y. — A 58-year-old man from Central Square pleads guilty to collecting workers' compensation benefits while concealing employment, following an investigation by the Office of New York State Worker's Compensation Fraud Inspector General Lucy Lang.
The investigation stems back from an incident in March 2021, when Christopher Cronk started receiving wage replacement benefits through the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board following an ankle injury. At the time, Cronk was employed by Cutting Edge Painting in Webster.
Wage replacement benefits are intended to support injured workers who cannot earn a paycheck while they recover. However while in Onondaga County Court, records show Cronk started receiving payments for painting services at private properties and businesses starting in March 2022, while continuing to certify to his insurance carrier—the New York State Insurance Fund—that he had not engaged in any employment.
In total, Cronk collected $10,494 in wage replacement benefits that he was not entitled to, through August 2022. In court, surveillance footage captured him working, witness statements confirmed it, and bank records reflected payment. Cronk pleaded guilty to
On March 3, Christopher Cronk pleaded guilty to charges of Insurance Fraud in the 3rd degree, a class D felony.
The investigation was conducted by Inspector General Lang’s Western Regional Office, with the cooperation of the New York State Insurance Fund. The Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office participated in prosecuting the case.
