May 30, 2002 2 min read

The owner of Tri-County Home Health Care in Brownsville pleaded guilty Wednesday to six counts of failure to carry workers’ compensation insurance on employees at her facility and will serve 10 years of probation. Frances Wheeler told Fayette County Judge John F. Wagner Jr. that the lack of insurance came to the attention of the state when one of her employees made a claim and the insurance was not there.

That prompted an audit that showed the company lacking insurance during the periods of Jan. 1, 1997, through May 4, 1997; Oct. 6, 1997, through May 5, 1999; and Oct. 1, 1999, through Oct. 23, 2000.

Wagner indicated that the plea was only to not carrying insurance during the January-through- May portion of 1997.

In addition to her probation, the plea also mandates that Wheeler perform 2,000 hours of community service over the 10 years and must carry the necessary insurance.

Wheeler’s business address is listed as 901 Lewis St. She told Wagner that she still operates the facility and is listed as the sole proprietor of the home.

Wheeler also said that during the times the insurance lapsed, her husband was acting as her “financial advisor.” She indicated that she was not aware that the insurance was lacking, and had been in the hospital during that time period.

District Attorney Nancy D. Vernon told Wagner that Wheeler’s husband had not been charged in the matter.

Vernon also said that Wheeler will be responsible for making restitution that includes the uninsured employee’s medical benefits and any lost wages.

A worker’s compensation judge is still in the process of determining the final restitution amount, said Vernon.

Charges against Wheeler were filed by Sharon Zanotto, manager of the compliance section of the Department of Labor and Industry’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

Wagner scheduled Wheeler’s sentencing for July 30.