Press Releases
01/15/2020
Former Correction Officer Charged with Workers’ Compensation Fraud, Larceny
A Derby man was arrested today and charged with illegally collecting Workers’ Compensation benefits while employed as a state corrections officer.
EMANUEL FRANCESCHI, age 31, of 133 Clearview Court, Derby, was arrested by Inspectors from the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney on a warrant charging him with one count of Fraudulent Claim or Receipt of Benefits and one count of Larceny in The First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Franceschi worked as an unlicensed home improvement contractor while collecting Workers’ Compensation benefits for an injury he reported suffering while working for the Department of Correction (DOC).
Franceschi was awarded wage replacement and medical benefits on the basis he was unable to work and was required to report any other income, the warrant states. While collecting benefits he did home improvement work for two DOC coworkers, including removal of carpets, laying of floors and installing a door, but did not report the income.
The investigation was initiated following an anonymous complaint to the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit and subsequent complaints by the DOC co-workers. Franceschi is no longer employed by the DOC.
Franceschi was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court, G.A. No. 14, on January 30, 2020. The charges are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case will be prosecuted by the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit.