ACC fraudster convicted

A Hamilton man has been convicted for fraudulently claiming more than $18,000 in ACC compensation.

Murray Allen Booth pleaded guilty to charges under ACC's own Act in Hamilton District Court.

Between April 2007 and May 2008, Mr Booth provided medical certificates stating that he was unable to return to work but ACC discovered he had been working as a telemarketer, the court was told.

During this period he collected a total of $18,784.02 in weekly compensation to cover lost earnings.

He was sentenced to 190 hours of community work and ordered to repay the money in full.

ACC welcomed the conviction.

"ACC levies are intended to help injured people not fraudsters and we work hard to make sure that happens," said general manager of claims management, Denise Cosgrove.

- NZPA