Elmira bartender indicted on workers' comp fraud charges

An Elmira bartender was indicted Monday on charges he defrauded the Workers' Compensation system of nearly $25,000, according to state Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott.

James Hooks Jr., 56, of Davis Street, Elmira, was indicted by a Chemung County grand jury on charges that include third-degree grand larceny and workers' compensation crime of fraudulent practices, both felonies, Leahy Scott said.

“Workers' Compensation coverage is meant to protect employees, not help them enrich themselves through fraud and deceit,” she said.

Hooks allegedly collected $24,584.60 in workers' compensation benefits to which he was not entitled while working as a weekend bartender at Ramsey's Place in Elmira.

An investigation determined Hooks, who suffered injuries in 1994 while working at a grocery store, repeatedly reported he was not employed although he was working as a bartender, Leahy Scott said.

Hooks was released under the Chemung Project for Bail, Inc. program. He will return to court May 16.