Roofer denies theft of disability pay from state

Salvador Maldonado-Medina, owner of a Columbia Falls-based roofing business, pleaded not guilty to stealing $4,692 in temporary disability benefits from the state in Lewis and Clark County District Court on Wednesday.

Maldonado-Medina is charged with felony counts of theft and employer misconduct, according to documents in district court. If convicted, he could face 10 years in prison and $50,000 in fines for each count.

In court documents, Assistant Attorney General Mary Cochenour wrote that Maldonado-Medina stole workers compensation benefits paid by the Montana State Fund between March 23, 2013 and Nov. 18, 2013. She wrote he failed to disclose to the state that he was working and earning money at his roofing business while also receiving temporary disability benefits from the state.

A person who both earns wages and collects workers compensation benefits without the consent of the insurer is guilty of the offense of theft, Cochenour wrote in court documents.

Maldonado-Medina falsified employment records during the same time period, claiming his business SM Roofing had no employees, when in fact the business was employing two men to perform roofing work for his business, Cochenour wrote in court documents. The men had no workers compensation insurance coverage while working for Maldonado-Medinas business.

Reporter Eric Killelea is on Twitter @EricKillelea. He can be reached at eric.killelea@helenair.com.

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Roofer denies theft of disability pay from state