The Offices of the New York State Inspector General announced the arrest of an Elmira-based home health aide who allegedly was paid more than $6,000 to care for an elderly Workers’ Compensation recipient – but never showed up for hundreds of hours she was supposed to work.
Denise Lewis, 45, of Elmira, was arrested and arraigned in Elmira City Court yesterday before Hon. Peter Finnerty on charges of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree; Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree, Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (3 counts); and Workers’ Compensation Law section 114 (1) Penalties for Fraudulent Practices (3 counts) - all felonies.
Lewis worked for a now-deceased disabled and elderly Workers’ Compensation recipient at her Chemung County Home. Lewis claimed to have provided health care services to the individual during hours when surveillance and eyewitnesses confirmed she was never present at the individual’s home. Between October 2017 and July 2019, Lewis submitted more than 20 fraudulent timesheets to a third-party claims administrator for payment and was paid more than $6,000 for more than 400 hours not worked.
“We will not tolerate those who abuse the workers’ compensation system – either through misrepresentation to obtain benefits or failure to provide services to those in need,” said acting Inspector General Robyn Adair. “Thanks to our partners in the Chemung County District Attorney’s Office, this individual will be held accountable for their actions.”
The Inspector General’s Office thanked Sedgwick Claims Management, the third-party claims administrator for Continental Casualty Company CNA, for its assistance with the investigation, the New York State Police for its assistance with the arrest, and Chemung County District Attorney Hon. Weeden A. Wetmore, Esq. for prosecuting this matter.
The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proved guilty in a court of law.
