Investigation of Bureau of Reclamation’s Workers Compensation Fraud

In July 2014, an Employee and Labor Relations Specialist with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation reported concerns that an employee who had been listed as permanently disabled, was committing possible worker compensation fraud. It was reported that the employee obtained a hunting license in 2007 and went on hunting expeditions, owned a ranch, and rode horses to help with pain management.

 

On October 20, 2014, a doctor examined the employee at the request of the Office of Workers Compensation Program (OWCP), and determined that he was capable of sedentary, light work. USBR offered him a position as a mail and file clerk. Although the employee accepted the job offer in June 2015, USBR withdrew the job offer due to concerns that he could be injured on the job. As a result, the employee will remain in the OWCP program.