New York

Published on: February 26, 2019

Ohio Slashes Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rates

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) will cut the cost of the average premium rate for private employers by 20 percent. This is the largest single reduction in almost 60 years and follows the 12 percent reduction in premiums approved last year.

Stephanie McCloud, administrator/CEO of BWC, said, “We’re pleased to continue the trend of falling rates with a reduction that will save Ohio private employers more than $200 million next year.” These are, she said, the ninth reduction in workers compensation rates in Ohio since 2008.
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Published on: February 19, 2019

Transport Company Owners Plead Guilty to Workers’ Compensation and Medicaid Fraud

by Brian Silber

Two owners of transport and taxi companies in northern New York state have pleaded guilty to various fraud charges, including workers’ compensation and Medicaid fraud. These pleas are just the latest developments in a two-year investigation led by the New York State Police.

Arshad Nazir, age 54, of Plattsburg is the owner of Capital Medallion, which does business under the name Avalanche Taxi. Nazir pleaded guilty to the federal felonies of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and to Pay Healthcare Kickbacks and Conspiracy to Commit Healthcare Fraud. As part of his plea agreement, at a later date, Nazir will also plead guilty to charges leveled by the state—Failure to Secure Workers’ Compensation and Grand Larceny in the Second Degree.

Nazir will be sentenced on June 18. He faces a fine of up to $250,000 and ten years in prison. The bust was part of a larger fraud investigation in the Capital and Adirondack regions of New York.
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Published on: January 17, 2019

Seizure of Innocent Man’s Truck Leads to Civil Forfeiture Reform Attempt

by Brian Silber

Even though he was acquitted of the criminal charge leveled against him, Aaron Dorn still lost his truck to a process known as civil asset forfeiture. Inspired by Aaron’s case, a North Dakota state representative is introducing a bill to reform civil forfeiture in the state.

Last summer, I reported on Dorn’s situation. In the fall of 2016, he had traveled from his home in New York state to join the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Aaron was arrested by a police officer who claimed Dorn had attempted to ram the officer’s police car with his 2003 Chevrolet Silverado.
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Published on: December 25, 2018

New York Horse Racing Hit Hard by High Cost of Workers’ Compensation

by Brian Silber

At first glance, trainer Robertino Diodoro’s achievements in horseracing in New York should have made him a great success. Since early 2017, his horses have earned around $3 million, and he has won 69 races.

When asked if these wins have brought him money, his answer is simply: “I don’t think so.” The reason is how expensive it is to race horses in the state, especially factoring in the high cost of workers’ compensation insurance. New York has the highest workers’ compensation premiums in the country.
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Published on: November 2, 2018

Feds Seize Painting Stolen by Nazis from Auction in New York

by Brian Silber

The federal government seized a painting that was reportedly stolen by Nazis during WWII after it was put up for auction in New York City by a Chilean art dealer.

Prosecutors in the case are facilitating the return of the artwork to the heirs of a renowned Jewish art collector Adolphe Schloss. The forfeiture case was announced on October 19 by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman.

Berman wants to return the 1639 painting by Salomon Konick, titled “A Scholar Sharpening His Quill,” to the heirs of Schloss. He told news sources that the artwork was stolen from Schloss by the Nazis in France and ended up in Adolf Hitler’s personal collection in Munich.