Inwood woman faked work injuries

Got more than $69,000 in fraudulent compensation

Posted

Michelle Buggs, 45, of Inwood, who owns the It’z All 4U restaurant in Far Rockaway was arrested on July 21, and charged with grand larceny second- and third-degree, insurance fraud second- and third-degree and perjury first-degree for allegedly receiving more than $69,000 in disability and workers’ compensation by lying about her injuries and employment status, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said.

Buggs worked as a baker and cake decorator for Waldbaum’s supermarket in Glen Head and claimed she injured her wrist and finger as she helped a customer up from the floor and onto her walker in 2006, according to Singas.

Following that incident, Buggs was approved for disability payments by the

Workers' Compensation Board.

Six years later, Buggs submitted incorporation documents for the restaurant. In 2014, she had an independent medical examination and signed papers that showed she had not worked since the 2006 accident, and that she was unable to work, the DA said. Buggs began receiving the money in August of 2012.

Buggs testified under oath at a Workers’ Compensation hearing in 2015 that she did not start a company and did not own a business, according to Singas.

Based on surveillance conducted in February 2015, Buggs was seen cooking, using the cash register and serving patrons, carrying items with her right hand and delivering takeout orders to customers, the DA said.

She was also charged offering a false instrument for filing first-degree and workers' compensation fraud fraudulent practices. Buggs was released on her own recognizance. Her next court date is scheduled for Aug. 26. She faces up to 15 years if convicted of the grand larceny charges.

“Workers’ compensation insurance was designed to protect those vulnerable employees injured on the job,” Singas said in a prepared release. “However, when individuals decide to scam the system by filing fraudulent disability insurance claims, they are undermining that very system designed to help those in need.”