PROMINENT Sunshine Coast surfer David Reardon-Smith has pleaded guilty to WorkCover fraud after it was found he was surfing competitively overseas while receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
Mr Reardon-Smith, pictured above and right, pleaded guilty in the Maroochydore Industrial Magistrates Court to defrauding WorkCover Queensland of $10,863.27 and was fined $1500.
The former Queensland Championship Circuit champion and World Qualifying Series competitor was also ordered to pay full restitution and WorkCover’s legal costs, totalling almost $16,000.
WorkCover said Mr Reardon-Smith made an application for compensation for an injury he sustained at work in May 2008 and his claim was accepted as an aggravation to the neck and upper thoracic spine.
Medical professionals had certified him as being totally incapacitated for work.
He received workers’ compensation benefits from June until September 2008, when WorkCover became aware he had taken part in the Billabong Cloud Nine Invitational contest in the Philippines and had won prizemoney.
The Daily, reporting on the progress of local surfers at the event in our September 25 edition, described Mr Reardon-Smith as “one of the standout performers in the clean one metre waves”.
WorkCover said while the surfer had advised WorkCover of his trip to the Philippines, he said it was to attend a wedding and to visit friends.
He was scheduled to start a hospital back rehabilitation management program when he returned from the Philippines. However the program, which costs $5740, was cancelled when WorkCover found out the true reason for his trip.
Mr Reardon-Smith was questioned about his participation in the contest – an allegation he initially denied.
Further investigations by WorkCover revealed he had participated in two other competitions while receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
“At no time during the claim did the man disclose his surfing activities to WorkCover, his treating medical practitioners, or physiotherapist,” WorkCover said. “In addition, he reported no improvements and no response to the therapeutic rehabilitation he was undergoing for his injury.”
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