By Cathy Locke
clocke@sacbee.com
A former civilian employee with the Department of the Navy has pleaded guilty to making false statements to obtain federal workers' compensation benefits.
Michael Howell, 59, of Vacaville entered the plea Thursday before U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr., according to a federal Department of Justice news release.
According to the plea agreement, Howell began receiving monthly workers' compensation payments in July 2001, claiming total disability that prevented him from working.
In fact, officials said, Howell worked in marketing for construction materials. He met with suppliers and customers, and marketed wood roofing products throughout Northern California. In addition, he earned income by repairing roofs and laying brick, activities inconsistent with his claimed physical disabilities.
Howell is to be sentenced March 31. As part of his plea, he agreed to pay $302,380.65 in restitution to the Department of the Navy. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
The case resulted form an investigation by the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.









About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.