Indictment: South Tahoe man skiing and collecting workers’ comp benefits

A federal grand jury returned an 11-count indictment today against South Lake Tahoe resident Mark E. Leung. The 58-year-old is accused of wire fraud, mail fraud, and making a false statement to obtain federal workers’ compensation.

Leung worked for the U.S. Postal Service until 1987. At that time he claimed he sustained a work-related injury. He never returned to full-time employment with the Postal Service and began receiving workers’ compensation benefits.

From September 2007 through November 2012, Leung received approximately $160,000 from the Department of Labor. To obtain the benefits, Leung submitted an annual certification form and also had his medical providers attest that he could not perform any work due to the pain he suffered that limited his mobility and range of movement.

But he was mobile enough to ski.

According to U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner, Leung has a season pass at Heavenly Mountain Resort and regularly skis 40 days a season.

“Moreover, Leung was as also observed performing arduous physical labor on numerous days,” according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

If convicted of the 11 counts, Leung faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report