Of Interest: Nov. 20, 2009

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November 19, 2009

Anonymous The Press Republican Fri Nov 20, 2009, 12:37 AM EST

DID YOU KNOW?

You can now view Calendars of Events for today and upcoming weeks? A complete and up-to-date list of local events is now available on every section of PressRepublican.com.

Correction
officer suspended

without pay

MALONE — The correction officer charged with fraud for allegedly working while obtaining workers-compensation benefits was suspended without pay Thursday.

Martin Friess, 40, of Massena was suspended from his $53,770-a-year job at Bare Hill Correctional Facility by the State Department of Corrections Services.

He was charged by the Attorney General's Office with insurance fraud, false filings and fraudulent practices for allegedly working construction jobs and getting paid while receiving workers-comp benefits.

Friess hurt himself on May 20, 2008, and did not return to work until June 3, 2009. But an investigation by the New York State Insurance Fund and Attorney General reportedly found he had worked for money and also received $10,000 in benefits.

Corrections officials said they will await the outcome of the criminal charges before any further action is taken against him.

— By Staff Writer
Denise A. Raymo