Thursday, April 06, 2000
Ex-firefighter guilty of benefit fraud
BY BEN L. KAUFMAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A former Cincinnati firefighter will spend 10 months in home incarceration for cheating on disability benefits.
Edward Weidinger, 55, of Palm Harbor, Fla., also must repay about $80,000 for which he was ineligible.
He pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and was sentenced Tuesday. Mr. Weidinger had a heart attack in 1981 after fighting a fire. Ohio's Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) awarded total disability benefits in 1988.
However, he failed to report improvements in his health that allowed him to work, and he failed to report jobs and income in the following decade. Mr. Weidinger also wrote that he was unable to work and his checks continued to be wired to him in Florida.
He was turned in by an anonymous tipster, who called BWC's toll-free hot line, (800) 644-6292.
Agency investigator Kimberly S. Pandilidis and FBI Agent Michael Logan worked the interstate case, one of 1,800 suspected frauds being probed by BWC.
Faced with their evidence, Mr. Weidinger opted to avoid a grand jury and trial and negotiated the single charge.
U.S. District Judge Herman J. Weber in Cincinnati allowed home incarceration in Florida rather than 10-16 months in prison because of Mr. Weidinger's heart condition, Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne L. Porter said.
Manager on ropes, but not out door
Some students return to CPS
Single instant turned customer into convict
Taft imposes safe-gun policy
Erin, Julia display more than cleavage
Romance writer wants to protect her craft
Jewish lawmaker stands ground
Butler, Warren quit jobs team
Four expelled in school drug case
Foundation will aid education in Warren County
Allen Temple to build impressive new church at Swifton
Fax a cut-and-paste job
Masters jacket: Made in Cincinnati
Moby, Bush thrill Miami audience
Springboro hiring elementary teachers
Teens badly hurt in West Union car crash
Butler newsletter helps businesses cut down on waste
Chemical leaks onto interstate
Ex-firefighter guilty of benefit fraud
Flag says it all about Glendale
Mason schools get free weather radios
Suit hits fees charged at jail
Teen births in city down 29% since '93
Teen drinking to be examined
Variety spices Mason event
Woman likely was strangled
Food Network visiting Northern Kentucky
For ceramic painter, it's guns 'n' skateboards
GET TO IT
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
TRISTATE DIGEST
