Man faces 24 years in jail after a jury convicts him of insurance fraud
NORWICH – A Chenango County jury found an Afton business man guilty of six felonies last week after prosecutor’s argued he defrauded his workers’ compensation benefits.
He is now facing a maximum of 24 years in state prison.
On Feb. 4, the New York State Insurance Frauds Bureau and the New York State Police in Sidney arrested 60-year-old Edward J. Panus, owner of Ponderosa Fish Farms. He was accused of collecting around $60,000 from the workers’ compensation fund he was not entitled to since 1996.
Following a day long trial that began Tuesday, Panus was convicted after 48 minutes of jury deliberation.
District Attorney Joseph McBride said Panus now faces a possible maximum sentence of 24 years in state prison.
Panus was convicted of all six charges against him, three counts of first degree offering a false instrument for filing, an E Class felony and three counts of committing a fraudulent practice under the Worker’s Compensation Law, also an E Class felony. Each E felony carries with it a possible maximum sentence of four years in prison, explained McBride.
During the trial, McBride submitted documents that showed Panus stated to bank officials he was receiving about $10,000 a month in income while continuing to collect worker’s compensation.
McBride reviewed a long list of account deposits between the business’ account and Panus’ personal account that ranged from less than a hundred to several thousand dollars.
Police claimed Panus submitted false information in his regular work activity reports to the New York State Insurance Fund after failing to included alternative income and current employment.
Panus is also awaiting another trial on related charges. He was indicted for fourth degree welfare fraud and first degree offering a false instrument for filing, both E Class felonies. Allegedly Panus falsified his food stamp application Oct. 30 by failing to mention he had a $10,000 savings account at Sidney Federal Credit Union. The indictment claims Panus collected $1,280 worth of benefits between October 2008 and May 2009 that he was not eligible for.
Panus, who was not incarcerated at the start of his trial, was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility following the verdict.
He is now facing a maximum of 24 years in state prison.
On Feb. 4, the New York State Insurance Frauds Bureau and the New York State Police in Sidney arrested 60-year-old Edward J. Panus, owner of Ponderosa Fish Farms. He was accused of collecting around $60,000 from the workers’ compensation fund he was not entitled to since 1996.
Following a day long trial that began Tuesday, Panus was convicted after 48 minutes of jury deliberation.
District Attorney Joseph McBride said Panus now faces a possible maximum sentence of 24 years in state prison.
Panus was convicted of all six charges against him, three counts of first degree offering a false instrument for filing, an E Class felony and three counts of committing a fraudulent practice under the Worker’s Compensation Law, also an E Class felony. Each E felony carries with it a possible maximum sentence of four years in prison, explained McBride.
During the trial, McBride submitted documents that showed Panus stated to bank officials he was receiving about $10,000 a month in income while continuing to collect worker’s compensation.
McBride reviewed a long list of account deposits between the business’ account and Panus’ personal account that ranged from less than a hundred to several thousand dollars.
Police claimed Panus submitted false information in his regular work activity reports to the New York State Insurance Fund after failing to included alternative income and current employment.
Panus is also awaiting another trial on related charges. He was indicted for fourth degree welfare fraud and first degree offering a false instrument for filing, both E Class felonies. Allegedly Panus falsified his food stamp application Oct. 30 by failing to mention he had a $10,000 savings account at Sidney Federal Credit Union. The indictment claims Panus collected $1,280 worth of benefits between October 2008 and May 2009 that he was not eligible for.
Panus, who was not incarcerated at the start of his trial, was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility following the verdict.
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