Business manager pays $110,000 for compensation fraud

Dale Monk, 41, was sentenced in the Ringwood Magistrates' Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to one rolled-up charge of fraudulently obtaining workers compensation payments.

He was convicted and fined $10,000 in addition to the restitution amount.

The court heard that Monk lodged a claim for mental injury caused by a bullying allegation in June 2019 and received $150,120 worth of support payments up until February 2021.

An investigation later revealed that Monk had secretly been operating his own consultancy service from November 2019 to September 2020 and earned about $19,000.

The court heard that during this time Monk continued to tell his doctor that he was not working and was issued with medical certificates of capacity that stated he was unable to work.

In one certificate issued in February 2020, Monk's doctor noted he was still building up his confidence and treating his anxiety. The next day, Monk commenced three days of consultations with a client.

WorkSafe Insurance Business Unit Executive Director Roger Arnold said any offence against the compensation system undermines public trust in it.

"Those who defraud the system for personal gain jeopardise the integrity of the entire scheme," Mr Arnold said.

“Any fraudulent behaviour will be met with very serious, criminal consequences.”