Charleston Workers’ Compensation Attorneys know in most workers’ comp suits there is a serious need for the injured party to be compensated in order to pay medical bills, household utilities, receive the wages they are entitled, and generally take care of themselves and their family. However, there are those out there who act deviently and try to take advantage of the system through fraudulent claims.
Such is the case of a Los Angeles police detective who has been charged with more than half a dozen felony counts in connection with a workers’ compensation fraud investigation, recently announced by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office. The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit and the District Attorney’s Healthcare Fraud Division.
Prosecutors officially charged the 15-year LAPD veteran with four counts of insurance fraud and one count each of perjury by declaration, attempted perjury under oath, and attempted grand theft. The detective was released after posting $120,000 bond.
Prosecutors allege the veteran detective operated two private businesses while out on a disability claim. The detective’s claim was filed on account of job-related stress. In addition to this claim, prosecutors allege the detective was also seeking a lifetime disability pension.
The case against the detective stems from a medical claim submitted back in 2007 and the subsequent joint investigation by the LAPD’s Workers’ Comp Fraud Unit and District Attorney’s Healthcare Fraud Division allegedly led to the discovery of evidence that indicates the detective knowlingly signed fraudulent documents and received workers’ compensation benefits to which he was not entitled.
If convicted of all the said charges, the detective could face a maximum prison sentence of up to eight years, 10 months and fines of up to $240,000.
Cases such as these that deal with the fradulent and corrupt behavior of police officers, cause a deep distrust in civil authority and severely tarnish the public’s opinion of the department. No doubt there is temptation to act unethically in any profession, but doing so as a police officer has severe social implications as it directly effects the safety of other officers as well as the community they are employed to protect. In regards to workers’ compensation fraud, adverse results are also not only felt by the punished guilty party. Taking advantage of the system or making an effort to receive on the job injury benefits you are not entitled brings into question the integrity of all workers’ comp claims, making it more difficult for those who are seriously injured on the job to receive the benefits they need and deserve.
