NNY man accused of workers' comp fraud

A Massena man has been charged with fraud after he allegedly performed contracting jobs at the same time that he was collecting workers' compensation for an injury.

Martin C. Friess, 40, was charged with insurance fraud, false filings and fraudulent practices, all felonies, Wednesday in Salina Town Court, according to the state attorney general's office, which is prosecuting the case.

Mr. Friess collected more than $10,000 in workers' compensation over the course of a year after he injured his knee while working as a corrections officer at the Bare Hill Correctional facility, Malone, on May 20, 2008. The eight-year Department of Correctional Services veteran did not return to work until June 3, 2009.

An investigation by the New York State Insurance Fund and DOCS allegedly revealed that Mr. Friess was being paid for construction work at the same time he collected the insurance benefits.

He also claimed in an insurance filing that he had not worked or received pay during his absence, officials said.

If convicted, Mr. Friess could face up to seven years in prison.