California Councilwoman Pleads Guilty to Workers’ Comp Fraud Riding Motorcycle While Claiming to Be Too Injured to Work

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Councilwoman Allegedly Files Fraudulent Workers’ Comp Claim

A Daly City (California) councilwoman pleaded not guilty to charges of workers’ compensation fraud after authorities allegedly caught her exercising and riding a motorcycle at a time she said she was too injured to do her job.

The charges stem from a workers’ compensation claim filed in 2005 with a medical center in Daly City, where she works as patient relations manager. The councilwoman is charged with workers’ compensation fraud, making false statements in support of an insurance claim and attempted perjury.

Claiming she sustained a workplace injury, she lied to doctors, insurance companies, claims administrators and the state Employment Development Department over a two-year period “regarding the injury and the extent of her disability,” said Karen Guidotti, an assistant district attorney.

She also lied under oath in a deposition and at a workers’ compensation appeals board trial, authorities said. Investigators with the district attorney and state Department of Insurance allegedly saw the woman exercising at the gym, walking long distances while shopping, riding a motorcycle and climbing out of her boyfriend’s truck — all activities she said she was unable to do.

The councilwoman, currently on administrative leave, is free on $100,000 bail and is to return to court in January 2110.

Reposted with Permission: Visit LexisNexis for more information and full reports. See http://law.lexisnexis.com/practiceareas/Workers-Compensation-Law-Blog/workers-compensation-fraud-/Workers-Comp-Fraud-Blotter-1242009—Recent-Arrests-Charges–Convictions

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers’ comp issues.

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