Man found guilty of using doctored insurance certificate

A NSW man has been found guilty of falsifying a document (an insurance certificate of currency) to prove his business was insured for workers compensation.

Peter Kountouris was a project manager for Bravo Design and Construction when, on 23 April 2009, a WorkCover inspector asked him for evidence his company was insured. By law, all businesses in NSW must be insured against workers compensation claims.

Kountouris provided the WorkCover inspector with the certificate of currency which covered the company for the period 23 January 2009 to 30 June 2009. However, a WorkCover investigation found the starting date on the certificate had been deliberately altered and the certificate had only been valid from 23 April 2009. This also meant the company had not been insured for a number of months.

WorkCover successfully prosecuted Kountouris under Section 301(2) of the Crimes Act 1900 for using an altered document that he knew had been doctored. He was not charged with altering the document himself. This offence carries a maximum penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment and a fine of $2200.

Kountouris was fined $1110, ordered to pay court costs and put on a three-year good behaviour bond.

Commenting on the case, WorkCover NSW said having up-to-date compensation for their staff was important and that it is vitally important that all employers pay their correct premium, otherwise the honest employers who do the right thing are subsidising those who break the law.

WorkCover will continue to regularly check workplaces to ensure that all employers on site hold current workers compensation policies.