BRIEF: Lakewood landscaper sentenced over workers’ comp

May 28--A Lakewood landscaper who didn't give workers' compensation to an injured employee was sentenced to community service and a year of probation, the state said Tuesday.

Kenneth Ivan Winters, 40, pleaded guilty to the felony of false reporting by an employer and the gross misdemeanor of doing business without workers' compensation insurance.

Pierce County Superior Court Judge Edmund Murphy gave Winters a suspended 1-year prison sentence, which he will not serve as long as he commits no other crimes. He will serve 240 hours of community service.

A worker told the state Department of Labor & Industries that Winters threatened him and his family if he filed a claim after being hurt working for Winters' company, Executive Lawn Care, in October 2012, according to charging papers.

The employee filed the claim and got more than $67,000 in benefits.

L&I said the workers' compensation coverage for the business had been revoked eight months prior for unpaid premiums.

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