TIOGA MAN SENTENCED TO SIX MONTHS IN JAIL, RESTITUTION

A 55-year-old Tioga County man was sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to pay $60,000 in restitution to the New York State Insurance Fund on Friday for fraudulently accepting workers’ compensation benefits while operating a snow plowing business.

Robert L. Rich, of 566 Prospect Valley Rd., Willseyville, was sentenced in Tioga County Court after pleading guilty to charges of grand larceny and committing fraud. He was also ordered to serve five years’ probation.

Rich was arrested in March following an investigation by the New York State Insurance Department.

Investigator Gordon Saggese said it was discovered that Rich operated a snow plowing business after claiming he could not work because of a back injury he suffered when employed by an asphalt company in 2001. Rich was accused of filing 19 statements with the Insurance Fund falsely claiming his injury prevented him from working.