A mail carrier's Facebook photos delivered just enough evidence for fraud charges, Attorney General Christopher Porrino announced Monday.
Robert McGeehan, 59, of Lower Township, was shown zip-lining and rappelling from rocks while out of work with a wrist injury.
Now, he’s accused of stealing more than $75,000 in federal workers’ compensation benefits.
McGeehan was injured in when he slipped on ice delivering mail in February 2008. That September, he underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage in his wrist.
But despite medical assessments in 2009, 2010, and 2012, finding him fit to return to work on light duty, he refuted those findings and turned down offers of less physically demanding jobs, according to the charges.
He even submitted reports from his own doctor to backup those claims.
In July 2015, McGeehan posted photos on Facebook showing him zip lining and rappelling while on vacation.
Evidence includes a waiver McGeehan allegedly signed that “the programs are designed for use by participants of average mobility and strength who are in reasonably good health. Obesity, high blood pressure, cardiac and coronary artery disease, pulmonary problems, arthritis, tendonitis, and other joint and musculo-skeletal problems may all impair the safety and well-being of participants.”
“This defendant claims he is physically unfit to return to work, even on light duty, but he’s allegedly out there engaging in strenuous physical activities, including outdoor recreation,” Porrino said. “Workers’ compensation is meant to provide financial assistance to those who are legitimately unable to work, not provide able-bodied employees with paid time off to enjoy themselves.”
After the photos were posted, the US Postal Service referred the case to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor
In June and July of 2016, those investigators recorded McGeehan outside his home doing strenuous yard work, including using a chain saw and hand saw, and throwing large logs.
“Those who unlawfully collect workers’ compensation benefits undermine the integrity of the government assistance program and cause funds to be diverted from people who truly need them," said Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Christopher Iu. “The indictment of this postal worker sends a message that workers’ compensation fraud is a serious crime with serious consequences.”
