New Yorker Drives Into Work Comp Scam

A Madison County, New York truck driver surrendered to New York State Police in North Syracuse to answer workers’ compensation fraud charges.

Ronald Tornatore, 49, of Canastota, New York surrendered shortly after his release from Madison County jail where he had been serving a sentence for contempt of court arising from a domestic dispute.

Tornatore, who sustained a knee injury three years ago while employed as an over-the-road trucker, had been receiving wage replacement benefits from the New York State Insurance Fund. Although he had reportedly denied on 10 separate forms submitted to NYSIF and sworn testimony to the Workers’ Compensation Board that he was working, an investigation determined that he had actually returned to work as an independent truck driver.

Tornatore’s former employer played a key role in developing this case. Tornatore had gone back to his old place of employment to work as an independent trucker. In doing so he reportedly denied receiving wage replacement benefits saying he was only getting medical benefits and was able to work. Further investigation by the trucking company, a NYSIF policyholder, uncovered the alleged fraud.

Tornatore now faces charges of insurance fraud, perjury, offering a false instrument for filing and fraudulent practices, all felonies. The estimated potential savings in this case is $257,654.