YELM, Wash. — A Thurston County man accused of claiming a bar fight injury was a workplace accident now faces a felony theft charge, after investigators found he filed a fraudulent claim to receive medical compensation from Labor and Industries.

Chuck Wayne Riccio of Yelm filed a claim in 2018 that alleged he hurt his hand while pulling apart a shower unit at his job at a bath ware manufacturer. Multiple witnesses confirmed Riccio got into a bar fight and hurt the hand after punching his opponent.

Riccio received more than $1,000 in benefits to treat the injury.

Evidence obtained by investigators details text messages sent by Riccio indicating he knew exactly what he was doing, at one point texting a photo of his bandaged hand with the message, “Now L&I will cover it.”

Riccio also posted on Facebook about the bar fight.