The owner of a Lake Hopatcong, N.J., paving company was indicted for allegedly failing to provide workers’ compensation coverage to his employees, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

Mack Stevens, 40, of Lake Hopatcong, was charged with fourth-degree failure to provide workers’ compensation coverage, actions that caused New Jersey to have to pay more than $253,000 in claims, authorities said.

Between Oct. 7, 2003, and April 28, Stevens, the owner of Accurate Paving, an unincorporated paving company in Lake Hopatcong, N.J., failed to provide the required workers’ compensation insurance coverage, authorities said.

On Oct. 8, 2003, an Accurate Paving employee suffered serious injuries as a result of an accident that occurred while he was on the job. The employee needed surgery and a three-month stay in the hospital.

Because Stevens’ did not have coverage for his employees, the New Jersey Uninsured Employers’ Fund was forced to pay $253,770 to the employee for expenses that he incurred as a result of the accident, prosecutors said.

Fourth-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 18 months in state prison and a criminal fine of $10,000.