CHARLESTON, WV -- West Virginia Insurance Commissioner, Jane L. Cline, announced today that Chalmer G. Elkins, age 52 of West Hamlin, who was indicted on fourteen felony counts of workers compensation fraud and one felony count of fraudulent schemes, on November 16, 2007 by a Kanawha County Grand Jury, pleaded guilty on February 11, 2008 in Kanawha County Circuit Court to two (2) felony counts of workers compensation fraud.
Mr. Elkins admitted to failing to file premium tax reports for the First and Second Quarters of 2001. Mr. Elkins also agreed that he owes $18,284.19 to the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner in repayment for unpaid workers compensation premiums, as well as $7,759.79 to Emmis Television Broadcasting (ETB), doing business as WSAZ-TV. The restitution to be paid to ETB is money that was paid to remove a mechanic's lien on EBT's property resulting from the defendant's failure to pay for materials. In exchange for this plea, the State has agreed to dismiss the 13 additional counts. Sentencing is set for April 16, 2008 before the Honorable Irene C. Berger, Circuit Judge.
Cline said, "Employers who do not pay their fair share place an unwarranted burden upon businesses that pay their premiums and abide by the law." Cline further stated, "We will continue to aggressively pursue insurance fraud of all types, including cases such as these that put workers at risk of not being provided for in the event of an accident as a result of their employment."