Sandra “Sandy” Cannon Throneburg, 74, of Morganton, North Carolina, appeared in federal court in Asheville and pleaded guilty to workers’ compensation fraud. The plea was entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Carleton Metcalf, according to an announcement from Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Kathleen Woodson, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General for the Mid-Atlantic Area, joined the announcement, emphasizing the commitment to uncovering fraud within the postal system.
Court records show that Throneburg was employed as a rural carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Valdese, N.C., and suffered a work-related injury on September 8, 2015. She stopped working following the injury and began receiving federal workers’ compensation benefits on October 23, 2015. These benefits, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act, included both medical and wage compensation.
To maintain eligibility, Throneburg was required to report any form of employment or self-employment. However, in a September 2020 benefits form submitted to the Department of Labor, she falsely claimed she was not working or earning income. In reality, between 2016 and 2020, Throneburg was working for an accounting firm, performing clerical duties and receiving payment.
During that time, she received over $261,000 in disability compensation and OWCP paid more than $278,000 in related medical expenses—despite her ongoing employment. She never disclosed her job or income to either the Department of Labor or the USPS.
Throneburg pleaded guilty to knowingly making a false statement in connection with the benefits program. The offense carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. She was released on bond following the plea hearing, and a sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth M. Smith is prosecuting the case.
