Attorney Generals News Release

June 9, 1995

Nixon charges owners of a Birch Tree sawmill with workers' compensation fraud

Jefferson City, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon filed criminal charges May 25 in Shannon County Circuit Court against Everett Dwain Bland and Troy D. Bland, the owners of a sawmill in Birch Tree. Nixon alleged that the Bland Brothers failed to provide workers' compensation insurance for their employees and failed to report an employee accident.

“We cannot allow the few companies who will not carry workers' compensation insurance to continue to slide on their responsibility,” Nixon said. “When the law requires a company to have coverage, we stand ready to enforce that law.”

The matter was investigated by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations' Fraud and Non-compliance Unit, which turned its information over to the Attorney General's Office.

Each count is a class A misdemeanor and is also subject to workers' compensation law fines. A company's failure to insure itself can result in a fine of $25,000 or double the amount of the annual premium which would have applied if it had been insured. The charges are only allegations, and the Blands are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818