A 50-year-old woman identified as Betty Boateng has been sentenced by an American court after admitting to unlawfully collecting more than $53,000 in workers’ compensation benefits while secretly working for multiple employers.
Boateng, a resident of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty to one count of workers’ compensation fraud, classified as a fifth-degree felony under Ohio law.
According to an official statement released by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) on October 9, 2026, investigators discovered that Boateng continued receiving disability payments despite returning to employment and earning wages.
How the Fraud Was Uncovered
The investigation, conducted by the BWC Special Investigations Department, revealed that Boateng worked for two different employers, providing non-medical in-home care services while simultaneously collecting disability benefits.
Authorities determined that she knowingly accepted payments she was no longer entitled to receive, resulting in a financial loss of $53,278.40 to Ohio’s workers’ compensation system.
Investigators gathered evidence confirming that Boateng earned income during the same periods she was receiving disability checks.
Court Delivers Sentence
On September 23, 2026, Boateng appeared before the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, where a judge accepted her guilty plea and immediately imposed a sentence.
The court ordered a 12-month suspended prison sentence, meaning she would not immediately serve that prison term. She was also placed under 60 months of community control, equivalent to five years of court-supervised probation.
Additionally, Boateng must repay the entire $53,278.40 fraudulently obtained from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
The judge imposed mandatory reporting requirements and court costs but waived additional fines.
Ohio Authorities Send Strong Warning
Reacting to the conviction, BWC Administrator Stephanie McCloud emphasized that fraudulent benefit claims undermine a system designed to protect legitimately injured employees.
Officials reiterated their commitment to investigating individuals who illegally obtain disability payments while continuing to earn employment income.
The case highlights the serious legal consequences awaiting individuals who deliberately misrepresent their employment status to receive government-administered compensation benefits.
For Boateng, the guilty plea brings a significant financial obligation and five years of supervision under the American criminal justice system.
Her case also serves as a warning that concealing employment while receiving disability compensation can lead to felony convictions, restitution orders and possible imprisonment.
