Woman who collected workers’ comp pleads guilty to theft

SEATTLE – A Federal Way woman who worked fulltime as a nanny while collecting Workers’ Compensation benefits has pleaded guilty to a felony theft charge.

Washington state labor officials say Yurizan Cuevas was working at a cafe in the White Center neighborhood of Seattle when it was robbed in 2010. While running from the robber, Cuevas hit a wall and hurt her back.

Health care providers said she couldn’t work because of her injuries, which allowed her to collect wage-replacement benefits.

She received almost $25,000 in about two years.

An investigation showed that during that time, she worked as a nanny. A judge ordered her to repay the funds and complete 160 hours of community service.