ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County man who has been on disability for nearly 10 years could be ordered to pay more than a half-million dollars in restitution.
State investigators said Ricardo Aponte’s workers' compensation injuries appeared to "go away" when he was not being seen by doctors.
The Department of Financial Services Division of Investigative and Forensic Services said in a news release that Aponte was arrested on workers' compensation fraud charges “following an elaborate scam involving an alleged on-the-job injury.”
The release said that “after the employer's insurance company raised suspicions that Aponte might be lying, DIFS insurance fraud detectives launched an investigation to verify the legitimacy of Aponte's claim and to learn more about his day-to-day activities.”
Authorities said Aponte told investigators he could not drive his truck because of his disability.
But Channel 9 caught Aponte backing his truck into a driveway on Friday.
An affidavit alleges he took workers' compensation for which he did not qualify after a neck and spine injury.
“I wanted to talk to you about why you've been making false claims for 10 years, almost 13, to the tune of almost $560,000,” WFTV’s Janine Reyes said to Aponte.
“I have no comment on that,” said Aponte.
Aponte was hit with rebar on Jan. 3, 2007.
In 2008, he saw a doctor for a "spinal fusion," and that doctor said "he could function effectively at a desk job."
Instead, for nearly 10 years, he's been on disability.
“I'm innocent until proven guilty, right?” Aponte said to Reyes.
In 2014, when Aponte arrived at a doctor’s office in a motorized wheelchair, the doctor documented that "he walked into the exam room without any assistive devices and was able to sit, stand, transfer and lie down without difficulty."
Dr. Marc Gerber said he told insurance adjusters that an MRI shows "there is no reason why from the MRI that he (Aponte) should be in a scooter and unable to perform a physical exam on today's office visit. He also refused physical therapy."
According to a May 5 deposition, Aponte said he had a hard time picking up a gallon of milk.
But just nine days later, Aponte was captured on surveillance video helping to load furniture outside an Ikea.
Aponte was also caught cleaning his boat without difficulty.
Video of his shopping trips show him lifting items and pushing a cart without trouble.
Neighbors said Aponte swims in his pool with ease.
Neighbors said they don't often see Aponte use the wheelchair ramp outside his house.
They said they see it put to use when he's picked up by a medical transport unit, but when he returns home, they said, they've seen him jump into his pool.
Aponte was arrested and taken to the Orange County Jail on charges of workers' compensation fraud, false statements in support of a claim, false and fraudulent insurance claims and grand theft.
Aponte posted bail shortly after his arrest.
If convicted, Aponte could be forced to repay his employer in full, pay a $10,000 fine and spend up to 30 years in prison, the release said.
Cox Media Group
