Former corrections officer pleads not guilty to lying about injury, collecting pay

WORCESTER, Mass. — A local corrections officer accused of doing construction work while out on disability pleaded not guilty to criminal charges Wednesday.

Thomas Roy, 37, collected more than $15,000 in disability benefits while he allegedly continued to work for his private business, according to prosecutors.

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.

"He was a fraud and he tried to use the system to better himself and got caught,” said Superintendent Dave Tuttle with the Worcester County Sheriff's Office.

25 Investigates obtained video that showed Roy operating a backdoor and swinging a sledgehammer while he was supposed to be home recovering from shoulder and back injuries he said he got while dealing with prisoners.

The sheriff's office says he collected his full pay for months, totaling more than $17,000. 

"I mean it's a lot of money for us because you figure we have to fill that shift so whenever he's not here working we need to fill that shift with OT,” said Tuttle.

The sheriff's office says Roy was offered light duty work, but he turned it down. They terminated him after the video surfaced, with the Attorney General described as showing strenuous work.

In court Wednesday, Roy would not answer Boston 25 News’ questions. His lawyer did say, “he's a family man. He's a good person. No record. Never been in any trouble before."

In addition to the disability pay, because Roy said the injury happened while dealing with prisoners he received additional benefits through the Injured by Prisoner Worker's Comp Program.

“It was an embarrassment to the department. He does not represent the hardworking men and women who come to work here every single day and do a great job,” said Tuttle.

Roy is facing charges of workers' compensation fraud, false claim to employer and larceny over $250.

Cox Media Group