HARRISBURG, Pa., May 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A Berks County employer has been sentenced for failing to maintain workers' compensation coverage for employees.

The Department of Labor & Industry today said Michael James Mortorano, owner of Merchandise Movers Inc., was sentenced to one-to-23-months incarceration, followed by six months of home confinement with electronic monitoring, and seven years probation.

Judge Scott Lash also fined Mortorano $50,000 and ordered him to pay $193,080.22 in restitution to an injured employee and $300,000 to the PA State Workers' Insurance Fund.

Mortorano pleaded guilty to charges of workers' compensation insurance fraud and theft by deception. The Bureau of Workers' Compensation Compliance Unit reports that Merchandise Movers is no longer in business.

According to Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act, it is a criminal offense for an employer not to carry workers' compensation liability insurance. Each day's violation is classified as a separate offense as either a third-degree misdemeanor or, if intentional, a third-degree felony.

CONTACT:

Justin Fleming

(717) 787-7530

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

CONTACT: Justin Fleming of the PA Department of Labor & Industry, +1-717-787-7530

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