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A roofing contractor is being charged with theft after an investigation into more than $54,000 of workers comp claims that the (L&I) is saying could be fraudulent.

The man, Patrick Dean Farthing, was seen by state investigators walking on roofs, removing roof tiles, and moving construction equipment and heavy materials despite having filed for workers comp for injuries starting in 2014.

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“Workers鈥� compensation funds are meant to help injured workers by partially replacing lost wages and covering medical expenses,” the press release from L&I said.

Farthing claimed he first injured his shoulder in 2010 while repairing a roof, and his medical provider determined the injury was so serious he couldn鈥檛 work as a roofer. He was qualified for wage replacement payments and later pension due to this injury.

In 2018, L&I launched a two-year investigation into Farthing after receiving a tip he was working as a roofer. Through the investigation, it was determined that Farthing had been running his own business that performed roofing jobs throughout the South Sound while still collecting worker comp.

They obtained Farthing鈥檚 bank records and building supply invoices showing he was buying roofing materials starting in 2014, sometimes using the name Adam Lay.

During the investigation, L&I also allegedly caught Farthing and his work crews roofing houses in Spanaway and Olympia in 2018 which he was not registered to do. They issued him civil infractions for unregistered contracting, with penalties totaling $5,000 that remain unpaid.

鈥淲hen we hear about fraud, we investigate,鈥� said Celeste Monahan to 成人X站 7, assistant director for L&I鈥檚 Fraud Prevention and Labor Standards division. 鈥淐heaters seem to think that stealing workers鈥� comp benefits doesn鈥檛 hurt anyone 鈥� But it鈥檚 taking money from legitimately injured workers, and everyone whose hard-earned dollars support the workers鈥� compensation system.鈥�

The Washington State Attorney General鈥檚 Office is prosecuting this case based on L&I鈥檚 investigation.

成人X站 7 contributed to this report.