Bucks County corrections officer charged with workers’ compensation fraud
A Bucks County corrections officer who took undercover investigators on a paid, guided fishing trip this summer while receiving workers’ compensation has been charged with fraud and theft.
Carl Wayne Stokes, 51, of Bridgeton Township, was charged with workers’ compensation fraud, theft and unsworn falsification after surrendering to authorities.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, Stokes has received workers’ compensation assistance since November last year as a result of an onthe-job injury at the Bucks County Correctional Facility.
On May 1, Stokes filed paperwork indicating his physical condition was unchanged and said a doctor recommended “perma-
nent restrictions” on his activity. He also reported that he had not been employed at any time since receiving the benefits.
But Facebook posts dating back to January 10, 2018, show Stokes offering guided fishing tours on the Delaware River through the fishing charter service Reel Adventures. Additional posts from April discuss his work as a fishing guide.
In mid-June, Bucks County detectives scheduled a half-day outing with Stokes, arranging to leave from Laceyville, Wyoming County, on the Susquehanna River. Two undercover detectives went on the trip, during which Stokes moved about the boat without impediment, fished with the detectives and at some point leaned over the water from the boat to assist in retrieving the detectives’ lures.
Stokes told the detectives during the trip that he had been employed at the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office, and was out of work receiving workers’ compensation benefits for an injury sustained while working there in 2015, the affidavit of probable cause says.
The affidavit says Stokes further told them he was booked through the summer with additional fishing trips.
The detectives paid Stokes $240 for the trip, including a $100 deposit paid by money order. Investigators later found the money order deposited into Stokes’ account.
According to the criminal complaint, when confronted by investigators in July, Stokes said he thought he was safe reporting he was not employed because he was not making money.
The complaint says he described his compensation as, “$100 here or there” and “maybe $1,100 total.” He further said the money he does receive pays for gas and equipment.
Investigation also revealed Stokes had a previous workers’ compensation claim which was suspended after a number of Facebook posts showed him engaged in activities in contradiction with his medical limitations.
A judge set bail at $100,000 unsecured and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Oct. 29.