Ex-CT corrections officer avoids prison in workers comp larceny case

A former correction officer with the state Department of Correction who was sentenced to prison will not have to serve any time, as the judge suspended the sentence this week.

Matthew Hubbard, who lives in Massachusetts, pleaded guilty this week in Connecticut court to collecting workers’ compensation and transportation benefits in the amount of $86,648.08; he had been a correction officer for the state of Connecticut, authorities said.

Hubbard received “benefits in the amount of $74,129.72 and a payment of $12,518.36 for transportation costs to and from various medical appointments from May 6, 2021 through July 5, 2022,” authorities have previously said.

Hubbard, 56, of Agawam, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in Superior Court in Hartford, to three counts of fourth-degree larceny, authorities said.

Judge Nuala E. Droney sentenced Hubbard to 364 days in prison on each count, which is a total of 1,092 days, suspended the execution of the sentence, and imposed two years of probation with special conditions, authorities said.

Restitution will be determined through the Workers’ Compensation Commissioner, authorities said.

Authorities, citing the arrest warrant affidavit, said Hubbard was injured during the course of his employment, was placed on temporary total disability, and began receiving wage replacement and medical benefits paid by the state.

However, while he was receiving workers’ compensation benefits, “Hubbard was involved in a recertification process for his position as a reserve police officer for the Agawam Police Department in Massachusetts, and engaged in real estate transactions as an agent,” authorities said.

“During the period of disability, the recipient is considered to have zero work capacity and must inform his employer of any medical improvement, and to report any other employment income beyond the benefits provided,” authorities said.

Authorities, also citing an arrest warrant affidavit, previously said Hubbard was working as a correction officer and was injured while responding to a “code” report on Aug. 7, 2020.

The case was prosecuted by the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney in Rocky Hill.