Three charged in workers’ comp incidents [Albany Times Union, N.Y.]

Dec. 30--ALBANY -- The state Insurance Department today said it had charged three people with illegally collecting workers' compensation.

A Saratoga County man and his wife were arrested for allegedly cashing more than $13,000 in workers' compensation checks made out to the man's dead father, the state Insurance Department said.

Geoffrey Gabel, 40, and his wife, Kelly Gabel, 38, turned themselves in to Albany police Monday following an investigation by the state Insurance Department's Frauds Bureau, spokesman Ron Klug said.

The Gables, of North Second Street, Mechanicville, were charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony, stemming from taking the checks sent to Paul Gable, who died in September 2008, Klug said. He could not say if or how the alleged stolen money was spent.

An investigation began after a routine check by Crum & Forster Indemnity Co., a workers' compensation insurer, revealed that the elder Gabel had died, Klug said.

The Gables were arraigned in Albany City Court and released on bail, Klug said, adding that they face a sentence of up to 7 years in prison if convicted. A hearing will be scheduled in Albany County Court.

In a separate case, a 50-year-old Schenectady woman was arrested after an investigation by the state Insurance Frauds Bureau.

Vicki Earing allegedly collected more than $30,000 in workers' compensation benefits. Earing starting collecting the benefits in 1993 after suffering a back injury while working for the state Health Department. While collecting, she allegedly worked as an independent contractor, delivering the Times Union from 2006 until early December 2009, Klug said.

Earing was charged with third-degree grand larceny, insurance fraud and committing a fraudulent practice.

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