Blackstone Business Owner Pleads Guilty To Fraud Charges
Richard Copeland, the owner of Copeland Contracting Inc. of Blackstone, pled guilty Friday to charges of unemployment and workers' compensation fraud, according to the Office of the Attorney General.
Copeland was sentenced to three-and-a-half years probation and was ordered to pay more than $146,000 in restitution by a Suffolk County Superior Court Judge. He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service.
Specifically, Copeland pleaded guilty to the following:
• Unemployment fraud (20 counts)
• Larceny over $250 (4 counts)
• Aiding or assisting in fraudulent tax returns (60 counts)
• Workers' compensation fraud (3 counts)
According to the AG, Copeland misclassified workers in reports to his insurers. That prompted investigations by the insurers as well as by the Massachusetts Insurance Fraud Bureau. The AG also said that Copeland filed false unemployment contribution reports with the state, which allowed him to avoid $27,000 in mandatory fees.
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