The Feds have uncovered fraudulent drug and alcohol tests performed on drivers by a third-party testing company because it didn't use a doctor, and there's at least the potential to affect school transportation operations.
The company was hired to medically review thousands of drug tests for employers that are regulated by the Department of Transportation. The Nov. 17 issue of the Federal Register announced the company has been banned from doing tests for transportation carriers for the next five years.
Michael R. Bennett and his company, Workplace Compliance, Inc., provided medical review officer services to DOT-regulated employers directly and through other service agents. But DOT learned that Bennett, who is not qualified to act as medical review officer, was performing the tests himself. The DOT's Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance office investigation found that Workplace Compliance, Inc., was fraudulently using a doctor’s name on the test results it verified.
On July 31, 2009, the DOT issued a Public Interest Exclusion Decision and Order (PIE) against Bennett, Workplace Compliance, Inc., in North Carolina, Texas, and all other places it is incorporated, franchised or otherwise doing business, and all other individuals who are officers, employees, directors, shareholders, partners, or other individuals associated with Workplace Compliance, Inc. from providing drug and alcohol testing services in any capacity to any DOT-regulated employer for a period of 5 years.
The ban covers the time period of July 31, 2009 through July 31, 2014.
