Man Ordered To Pay $266,000

Fri., March 24, 1995

From Staff And Wire Reports

A Spokane man owes the state $266,000 for illegally pocketing workers’ compensation benefits for 11 years, the state claimed Thursday.

The state Department of Labor and Industries said Gary M. Materne drove trucks and repossessed autos during the 11 years he claimed a back injury kept him from working.

The state ordered Materne to repay $177,700 and tacked on a 50 percent penalty.

The fine was the result of a state investigation triggered by an anonymous tip.

The state also said that during the same time, Materne filed workers’ compensation claims in Oregon and California under the name Gary Porter.

Materne has 60 days to appeal.

Efforts to reach Materne and his Spokane attorney were unsuccessful.

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