Spokane Valley man accused of wrongfully receiving over $230,000 in disability benefits

A Spokane Valley man is accused of wrongfully receiving than more $230,000 in workers’ comp and federal disability benefits, according to the Washington State Deptartment of Labor Industries.

Dennis J. Bennett, 63, of Veradale allegedly operated the Cum Inn Bar & Grill at 18221 E Appleway Avenue while claiming he was too injured to work, the labor department said in a news release.

He faces two charges of felony first-degree theft. His arraignment is Monday.

Bennett allegedly received more than $188,000 in wage-replacement benefits from L&I, and more than $47,000 in Social Security disability cash benefits at various times from 2012 to 2016.

“The workers’ comp system is here to help legitimately injured workers heal and return to work,” Elizabeth Smith of L&I fraud prevention and labor standards said in a news release. “And it’s our job to track down and hold people accountable who are stealing benefits they don’t have coming to them.”