Health care workers unsuccessfully sue over vaccination mandate
- A federal judge in Maine dismissed a lawsuit by a group of health care workers who claimed they were unfairly discriminated against for being forced to get the COVID-19 vaccine requirement or lose their jobs.
- The plaintiffs sued several health organizations and state officials, arguing that the vaccine mandate violated their right to free exercise of religion.
- A judge with the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, wrote that the COVID-19 vaccine mandate is “neutral” in that it does not mention religion.
- Furhermore, the mandate was “rationally based” in in limiting the spread of COVID-19, safeguarding health care capacity, and protecting the lives and health of citizens.
Iowa man faces workers’ comp fraud charges
- Thomas Stephanie, 46, was charged with one count of insurance fraud following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.
- Stephanie reportedly provided false statements to an insurer in connection with a workers’ compensation insurance claim.
- He received insurance benefits due to these false statements.
- On Aug. 10, Stephanie was arrested and booked into the Jefferson County Jail. Stephanie posted a $5,000 bond and was released.
U.S. Dept. of Labor investigates firing of journalist
- A journalist at the Killeen Daily Herald was fired when she complained to management the office was infested with fleas, leaving them with bug bites.
- OSHA found the company violated federal laws that protect workers who report workplace safety and health issues.
- The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit against the paper, owned by Frank Mayborn Enterprises Inc.
- Her lawyers asked the court to order the newspaper “to comply with the federal anti-retaliation provisions; reinstate and pay the employee back wages, interest, compensatory and punitive damages; expunge the employee’s personnel record; and other remedies.”
Trucking scam involved $9M in workers’ comp costs
- Francis Hall, the former co-owner of Bill Hall Jr. Trucking, turned herself into Bexar County authorities.
- Fraud investigators discovered Hall allegedly provided false payroll information to Texas Mutual Insurance Company and concealed payroll reports to get lower insurance premiums on their extensive gravel hauling business.
- The scheme allowed the company and its owners to avoid more than $9 million in premium payments.
- If Hall is convicted, she could face up to life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.