Workers’ comp fraud alleged: Saratoga County couple charged with cashing dead man’s checks [Albany Times Union, N.Y.]

Dec. 31--ALBANY -- A Saratoga County couple are among three people charged with illegally collecting workers' compensation, the state Insurance Department said Wednesday.

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

The Gabels, of North Second Street, Mechanicville, allegedly cashed more than $13,000 in workers' compensation checks that had been sent to Paul Gabel, Geoffrey Gabel's dead father. They are charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony, 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 in September 2008, Klug said.

The Gabels were arraigned in Albany City Court and released on bail, Klug said.

They face up to seven years in prison if convicted. A hearing will be scheduled in Albany County Court.

In a separate case, a Schenectady woman was arrested, also after an investigation by the Frauds Bureau.

Vicki Earing, 50, 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, Klug said.

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

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