Pizzeria Owner Arrested for Workers' Compensation Fraud

NEW YORK, NY (08/24/2010)(readMedia)-- The owner of a Johnson City pizzeria who employed three people off the books was arrested Thursday for workers' compensation fraud, the New York State Insurance Department reported.

Johnson City Police arrested Claudio Carpentieri, 50, of Harry L Drive. He is accused of knowingly submitting false documentation to the New York State Workers' Compensation Board stating that he had no employees so he could avoid paying workers' compensation insurance.

Investigators from the Insurance Department's Frauds Bureau and the Office of the Fraud Inspector General of the Workers' Compensation Board found that he actually employed two people who worked inside the pizzeria and a delivery person.

Carpentieri could be sentenced to up to four years in prison if he is convicted. He is charged with workers' compensation fraud and offering a false instrument for filing.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Steve Ferri.

A hearing is scheduled Sept. 1.