In the coming months, people will see new advertisements on the exterior of buses operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro): committing fraud or fabricating accidents to obtain workers’ compensation benefits will be considered a felony.
On Thursday, March 12, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced the launch of this public awareness campaign, stating that the message conveyed on buses throughout the county is simple and clear: all types of workers’ compensation fraud will be strictly punished by the law.
“We will prosecute anyone engaged in such behavior – whether they are employees, medical providers, lawyers, or anyone involved in fraudulent schemes,” Hochman said. If someone submits a false workers’ compensation claim, exaggerates injuries, fabricates accidents, intentionally provides false information on applications, lawyers accept fraudulent claims, medical providers assist in fraud, or employers attempt to avoid paying workers’ compensation premiums, they will only face one outcome, which is prosecution.
Hochman outlined common examples of workers’ compensation fraud, including: claiming injuries occurred at the workplace when they did not; exaggerating symptoms, pain, or disabilities; concealing pre-existing injuries or illnesses; engaging in other work while receiving disability benefits; submitting false medical or wage information; medical professionals issuing disability or unfit-for-work certifications without proper evaluation.
He said, “The purpose of the workers’ compensation system is to protect legitimately injured workers, providing necessary medical care and wage compensation. Fraudulent activities divert resources, increase costs for employers and taxpayers, and weaken public trust in the system.”
Prosecutors emphasized that individuals found guilty of workers’ compensation fraud will face felony charges, imprisonment (in state or county jails), hefty fines, court-ordered restitution, and revocation of professional licenses.
Tim Cloney, Vice President of the Special Investigations Department at Zenith Insurance Company, also emphasized the importance of such public awareness campaigns during the press conference. He pointed out that the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud estimates that around $34 billion of the $380 billion fraudulently claimed in insurance annually in the United States is related to workers’ compensation fraud, posing a significant issue.
He stated that for businesses that adhere to rules and purchase workers’ compensation insurance, those that do not purchase insurance or engage in fraudulent activities create unfair competition. Ultimately, insurance costs are shared by everyone. Thus, combating fraud is crucial.
Cloney mentioned that around 10% of insurance cases currently involve fraud. Data from the California Department of Insurance shows approximately 2,000 reported insurance fraud cases monthly, with a significant portion in Los Angeles County.
Hochman pointed out that the number of workers’ compensation fraud cases in Los Angeles County ranks among the top three in the United States, tying with Las Vegas in Nevada and Jacksonville in Florida. “This is not a badge of honor,” he said. While Los Angeles may be renowned for its beaches, entertainment industry, or sports teams, it should not top the list of workers’ compensation fraud. He also highlighted several recent cases of medical and workers’ compensation fraud.
Case One: Kevyona Denise Beckett, a 38-year-old bus driver for LA Metro, is charged with two counts of insurance fraud felonies. Prosecutors alleged that she planned to stage a fake accident to deceive for workers’ compensation benefits.
On February 4, 2025, while on duty, she told a colleague she had sprained her ankle at home and intended to fake a fall to take sick leave. Her words were recorded by equipment on the bus. She was accused of asking the colleague to be a witness, but the colleague laughed and walked away.
Shortly afterward, when another bus driver approached, the defendant boarded the bus and pretended to slip and fall on the floor. The colleague then assisted her and accompanied her in reporting the accident, after which she was granted sick leave. If convicted, Beckett could face up to 10 years in prison.
Case Two: Hazel Giselle Orozco Ortega, 55, Gemi Bertran-Lant, 55, and Elbert Irving IV, 42, face charges of insurance fraud, forgery of documents, and 31 other serious felonies.
Prosecutors allege that the three submitted false documents to insurance companies, obtaining course fees from a government vocational training voucher program designed to help workers return to the workforce. Workers were asked to sign blank application forms, which were later filled out to falsely indicate their attendance at vocational training courses.
If found guilty, Ortega could be sentenced to a maximum of 19 years and 8 months in prison, Bertran-Lant to a maximum of 19 years and 4 months, and Irving IV to a maximum of 7 years in prison.
Case Three: Maria del Rosa Romero Gonzalez, 59, faces a felony charge of insurance fraud and a felony charge of forgery. In May 2023, while working, she allegedly exaggerated her injuries and concealed her part-time job during the period she was receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
Prosecutors claimed she worked at a daycare center during her benefit period. If convicted, she could be sentenced to a maximum of 5 years and 6 months in prison.
Case Four: Jose Dimas Duran Villalta, 47, is charged with insurance fraud and forgery. In October 2022, he fell from a ladder at work, fracturing his wrist, and was deemed temporarily totally disabled, receiving $1,809.34 in disability benefits bi-weekly.
In April 2023, he was accused of working as a plumber for another company during his disability benefit period, leading to a fraud report to the California Department of Insurance. Although he denied working, payroll records indicated he was employed from March to August 2023. Investigators determined that he wrongly received $14,474.72 in disability benefits during this period. If proven guilty, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 5 years and 6 months in prison.
Case Five: Christopher Brandon Carnahan, 44, faces two felony charges of insurance fraud.
On May 22, 2023, this Los Angeles Police Department officer allegedly injured his left elbow while on duty and was deemed temporarily totally disabled. Prosecutors alleged that during this time, he skydived multiple times at Skydive Elsinore in Lake Elsinore and worked out at a fitness center. If convicted, he could face up to 6 years in prison.
Hochman stressed that the defendants mentioned above should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. ◇