Mooresville postal worker claiming workers comp went ziplining at Niagara Falls: DOJ

Jesse Ullmann
·1 min read
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MOORESVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – A Mooresville postal worker who took some liberties by posting social media pics ziplining in Niagara Falls and a European vacation all while receiving workers compensation pled guilty Wednesday to fraud charges.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced Mooresville resident Johnnie Sullivan Sr., 73, pleaded guilty Wednesday to theft of government funds and to receiving federal compensation benefits.

Court records stated that Sullivan worked as a mail processing clerk for the U.S. Postal Service and in 2005 sustained an injury at work. While he began receiving workers comp, he made false claims including and misrepresenting his physical abilities and medical restrictions such as using a cane and driving short distances. Payments totaled over $103,000, the DA’s office said.

During this period, Sullivan was making social media posts of long-distance travel including a trip to Europe and physically rigorous activities such as surfing, shag dances, and ziplining in Niagara Falls.

“For years, Sullivan, Sr. lied about his pain and suffering caused by an on-the-job injury to bilk the federal workers’ compensation program out of thousands of dollars, and used the funds to pay for recreational activities,” U.S. Attorney Dena King said. “When individuals defraud an
important program meant to protect injured federal workers, my Office will make sure they are held accountable for their actions.”

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