Suspended Agawam official pleads guilty to workers’ compensation fraud

Matthew Hubbard (Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice)

AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) – A suspended Agawam police officer has pleaded guilty to fraud in connection with the collection of workers’ compensation while employed as a correctional officer in Connecticut.

On April 26th, 56 year old Matthew Hubbard of Agawam pleaded guilty to three counts of fourth-degree larceny and was sentenced to one year in prison for each charge, for a total of three years, with execution stayed. Hubbard has a two-year suspended sentence and must pay restitution, which will be determined at a later date.

Hubbard was injured while employed as a correctional officer for the Connecticut State Department of Corrections and was temporarily sentenced to total disability. The state of Connecticut provided him with wage replacement and medical benefits. While receiving these benefits, Hubbard was processing recertification for his position as a reserve police officer for the Agawam Police Department and working as a real estate agent.

To receive workers’ compensation in Connecticut, the recipient is presumed to be unable to work and must notify their employer if their health improves. Income in excess of benefits must be reported. During his time as a correctional officer, Hubbard collected a total of $86,648.08 from workers’ compensation.

In July 2023, the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission suspended Hubbard as a police officer. The suspension is valid until June 30, 2025.

The POST Commission operates independently and has the authority to set police standards, certify police officers, investigate allegations of misconduct, and suspend or revoke the certification of officers found to have violated the Commission’s standards. As of May 8, 55 officers in the Commonwealth are currently suspended.