Alright readers – we’re back! And I’ve got a GIANT story for you today!

Well, it’s a relatively quick story, but it does have to do with the Giants… in particular, a member of the Giants team engaged in workers’ compensation fraud.

Now, before you all lock shields against me for daring to impeach the honor of our beloved San Francisco Giants, you can all relax.  The fault, at least this time, lies with the New York Giants (but, in truth, the NY Giants are actually the victims of the fraud).

Marcus Buckley played for the New York Giants from 1993 to 2000, and then claimed a CT through January 2, 2000, for injuries to the head, neck, back, shoulders, and other body parts.  That case, set before the Anaheim WCAB, was resolved by way of C&R back in 2010.

However, according to this article, Mr. Buckley agreed to his $300,000 settlement and then proceeded to file additional false invoices and medical bills to get more money.  He ultimately collected about $1.5 million for these false bills before getting caught.

Now, if you’re thinking that the adjuster on the case must have been in on it to hand over so much money, you’re right.

(This one is from Star Wars – the Force Awakens; an apt image but a thoroughly disappointing film.  I challenge you, dear readers, to prove my appraisal wrong.)

Fortunately, Ms. Kimberly Jones of the TPA involved in this case also got a beautiful set of matching bracelets for her cooperation in this fraud, and is set to be sentenced in February.  Mr. Buckley has been sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to repay the money.

This is a particularly troublesome issue and one that carries the unfortunate sting of betrayal.  We can reasonably expect the thief to steal and the vandal to vandalize.  But such conduct besmirches the name of hardworking adjusters everywhere.

Your humble blogger is torn between wishing I could see how this pair was ultimately caught for my own education, but also realize that general dissemination of this information would make more clever thieves.

If nothing else, dear readers, this should be a reminder us all to be extra vigilant, sadly, from every vantage point.

Special Thanks to T.J.H. for sending me this article.