PENNSYLVANIA - A
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board employee from West Scranton, along with two
accomplices, are being accused of staging an accident at work, collecting over $4,700
in workers' compensation benefits.
Christopher Peter
Tayoun, 32, a Mount Airy Casino Resort compliance representative, was arrested
in April and suspended from work without pay under allegations of insurance
fraud.
His accomplices, Dalyana J. Gillette, 23, and
her boyfriend, Patrick M. Connor, 24, are also facing charges of fraud.
On December 4, Tayoun
fell while working at the casino after supposedly having been bumped into from
behind by Connor, who was at the casino with Gillette. Police report that all
three of the accused fell down a staircase into the hotel lobby.
Tayoun complained
of numbness in his legs and was taken to the hospital by paramedics. He then filed
an injury claim with the Gaming Control Board and was granted workers'
compensation for his accident shortly thereafter.
Gaming board
officials were unconvinced that the accident was random. They urged police to
begin an investigation. After reviewing surveillance tapes, authorities found
evidence suggesting the fall was staged.
Further
investigations revealed that Tayoun and Gillette had previously spoken over the
phone numerous times before the accident had occurred. Phone records indicate
that the last phone call between the parties occurred just one hour before the
accident took place.
The surveillance
tape showed Conner and Gillette waiting by the stairs. When Tayoun passed by
them, they then followed him, stopping and turning away when Tayoun paused to
speak with a guard. As he started to walk down the staircase, Conner and
Gillette remained behind him and as they approached the bottom of the stairs,
Conner bumped into Tayoun instead of passing around him.
The parties
involved are denying that they have previously met. When questioned, Conner
referred to Tayoun as “some guy.”
Although Tayoun returned
to work on December 28, he complained of being in too much pain and was given
an alternative schedule and lighter duties.
The board hired
an investigator to follow Tayoun and it was reported that Tayoun was seen
lifting weights and performing various other exercise routines while he was
supposedly injured.
Tayoun was
released on $5,000 bail and is currently undergoing trial in court. No word on
whether he has an accident attorney defending his case or not.
