Pompano Beach business owner faces workers' comp fraud charge

A Pompano Beach construction company owner faces up to 20 years in prison after her arrest on charges she avoided paying at least $1.8 million in workers' compensation insurance premiums.
Maira Chirinos, owner of Tocoa Builders Inc., lied when obtaining a workers' compensation policy for the company by underreporting the company's payroll, number of employees and daily operations, according to a news release by the Florida Department of Financial Services. Chirinos reported a company payroll of $76,000 during a period of time when more than $11 million in payroll checks were cashed, the release said.
Workers' compensation coverage is required by law to protect employees who suffer on-the-job injuries. If proper policies are not in place, injured employees can lose wages and coverage for medical expenses, the release said.
Chirinos was charged with workers' compensation premium fraud and grand theft, both first-degree felonies.