Indictment: Tahoe Man Skied Regularly While Collecting Years' Worth Of Disability Payments

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (CBS13) - A former U.S. Postal Service worker receiving federal disability payments despite maintaining a yearly ski pass has been charged with fraud, according to U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner.

Mark E. Leung, 58, of South Lake Tahoe is charged with wire fraud, mail fraud and making a false statement to obtain federal workers' compensation, Wagner said.

Leung worked for the Postal Service until 1987 when he said he sustained a work-related injury. Leung never returned to full-time employment and eventually began receiving disability payments. From 2007 through November 2012, he received about $160,000 from the Department of Labor.

To obtain the benefits, Leung submitted an annual certification form and had his medical provider attest that he could not work due to pain and limited mobility and range of movement, Wagner said.

However, the indictment alleges Leung maintained a yearly ski pass for Heavenly Ski Resort, where he regularly skied at least 40 days per season. He was also observed performing arduous physical labor on numerous occasions, according to the indictment.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General and the Department of Labor.