AFTON – An Afton man was arrested by state investigators last week for allegedly collecting worker’s compensation benefits he was not entitled to for nearly 13 years.

The Feb. 4 arrest of 59-year-old Edward J. Panus of Afton came after a six-month investigation by the New York State Insurance Frauds Bureau and the New York State Police in Sidney.

Panus was charged with 13 counts of first degree offering a false instrument for filing (E Felony), and one count of committing a fraudulent practice under the Worker’s Compensation Law (E Felony). Panus could face up to a maximum of four years in state prison for each charge.