BMX rider busted for disability fraud after posting races on Facebook

A Kent man faces criminal charges for fraudulently collecting thousands in disability benefits while continuing to race his BMX bike, and posting pictures of his exploits on Facebook.

The Department of Labor & Industries got wise to Tony T. Perry, 51, after a tipster told investigators he remained active in the sport despite claiming he couldn’t work because of an on-the-job injury.

Perry, who collected more than $14,000 in payments, was charged Thursday with first degree theft in Thurston County Superior Court.

An investigator witnessed Perry compete in two races, and found numerous Facebook posts about Perry’s racing activities including pictures and videos, according to charging papers. In a post about a May 2012 race, Perry described how he crashed and injured his ribs — but told L&I he hurt himself at home that day due to a fall caused by his injured knee, L&I said in a statement.

Perry admitted racing in off road competitions during an interview with L&I in 2013, but said it was no different than riding a bike on a neighborhood street, charging papers said.

After receiving a summary of L&I’s investigative findings in March 2014, Perry’s physician told an L&I investigator he would have ended Perry’s wage-replacement payments as of January 2012 had he known about his physical abilities.

Perry began receiving workers’ compensation benefits in October 2001 when he strained himself lifting a heavy box, causing knee and other injuries, while working in grounds maintenance, L&I said.