Former manager of Cum Inn Bar & Grill to spend 30 days in jail for defrauding government

A Spokane Valley man who stole more than $230,000 in workers’ comp and federal disability benefits settled a plea agreement in November and will spend 30 days in jail and pay nearly $95,000 in restitution.

Dennis J. Bennett, 64, was accused of managing the Cum Inn Bar & Grill while claiming he was disabled. From 2012 to 2016, Bennet recieved about $47,000 from Social Security and about $188,000 in wage replacement benefits from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, according to court documents.

Cum Inn, a popular karaoke bar at 18221 E. Appleway Ave., closed earlier this year. The Green City Saloon now occupies the building.

The plea agreement was filed Nov. 29, and Bennett’s jail sentence starts Jan. 7 at Geiger Corrections Center.