Workers' Comp Fraud Blotter 12/4/2009 - Recent Arrests, Charges & Convictions

Each week we'll be surveying what the media, state agencies, insurance companies, and others report in terms of workers' comp fraud. Just like a police blotter, our workers' comp fraud blotter lists recent arrests, charges, and convictions.

Workers' Comp Fraud Blotter – December 4, 2009

Businesswomen Sentenced in Workers’ Comp Fraud Scheme (TX) – Donna Iverson, owner of C&D Business Services Inc., and Carol Wiesman pleaded guilty to workers’ compensation fraud-related charges in relation to concealing business relationships and payroll records from Texas Mutual. The District Court in Austin sentenced Iverson and Wiesman to 10 years’ deferred adjudication and ordered them to repay $949,702 to Texas Mutual. Read more

Calif. Highway Patrol Dispatcher Arrested for Workers’ Comp Fraud (CA) - Ramona Smith, a California Highway Patrol dispatcher, surrendered to police on Monday after the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office filed two felony charge of insurance fraud and perjury against her. An  investigation revealed that while Smith was off work on disability leave from her position as a Public Safety Dispatcher with the California Highway Patrol, Smith was employed by the County of Los Angeles as a "home health care provider" and receiving an income. Read more

Daly City Councilwoman Pleads Not Guilty to Workers’ Comp Fraud (CA) – Maggie Gomez, a Daly City councilwoman, has pleaded not guilty to charges of workers' compensation fraud after allegedly being caught exercising and riding a motorcycle when she claimed to be too injured to do her job. Read more

Drywall Business Hit With Workers’ Comp Fraud Charges (NY) – Francisco Brites, the owner of a Queens , NY, drywall construction business, faces felony charges, including grand larceny, insurance fraud, falsifying business records and two counts of violating the Workers’ Compensation Law. Read more