Former corrections officer indicted for allegedly lying about injury, collecting pay

ASHBURNHAM, Mass. — A former correctional officer accused of lying about a work related injury has been indicted on larceny and workers' compensation fraud charges.

Thomas Roy, 37, collected more than $15,000 in disability benefits while he allegedly continued to work for his private business, Attorney General Maura Healey said Thursday.

As 25 Investigates previously reported, Roy said he suffered a back injury when he scuffled with an inmate at the Worcester County Sheriff's Office in January 2016.

Roy was seen by medical officials who confirmed a lower back injury, which was also seen on an MRI. He then began receiving Temporary Total Incapacity and Injured by Prisoner worker's compensation benefits.

The Attorney General's office said that while receiving the benefits, the Ashburnham resident ran a business called ASL Renovations, which he had started about two months before the injury. ASL provides snow removal services, construction site work and hardscape construction.

As 25 Investigates reported last May, the Sheriff's office began investigating after an anonymous tip. Shortly after the injury, Roy had been seen operating a backhoe while removing snow for the city of Fitchburg and the town of Ashburnham. An investigator recorded Roy doing physical labor, climbing up and down a ladder and "vigorously" swinging a sledgehammer.

Authorities allege that Roy had told doctors and the Worcester County Sheriff's Office that he was too injured to work, even on a "light duty" assignment.

In total, from January 2015 to May 2016, Roy fraudulently collected more than $15,895 in disability benefits, says the AG's office.

Roy was indicted on charges of workers' compensation fraud, false claim to employer and larceny over $250.

He will be arraigned in Worcester Superior Court at a later date.

>>MORE: FOX25 Investigates: Worker accused of lying about injury, collecting pay

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