Valentino H. Douglas, 45, of Rialto, Calif., was arrested and booked into the West Valley Detention Center on multiple counts of felony insurance fraud after receiving more than $112,000 in workers’ compensation benefits for an alleged work injury that actually occurred a month earlier while playing softball.
While employed as a security officer at Rialto High School, Douglas filed a workers’ comp claim in July 2013, two months after an altercation with a student claiming that he injured his shoulder during the incident. An investigation by California Department of Insurance detectives showed Douglas sought treatment a month earlier for the same shoulder injury stating that it occurred while playing softball, according to CDI.
Videotape evidence also showed Douglas exercising with a boot camp group with no apparent physical limitations, according to CDI. When questioned about his statements to physicians and his exercise activity, Douglas reportedly continued to misrepresent the facts of his alleged injury.
“Workers’ compensation fraud is a costly crime that we all pay for,” Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said in a statement. “Insurers pass along the cost of their losses to businesses through higher insurance premiums and those costs are passed onto to consumers through higher prices for goods and services. Ultimately, there is a ripple effect on our economy.”
The case is being prosecuted by the San Bernardino District Attorney’s office. Douglas is scheduled for arraignment on Dec. 16 and faces possible jail time of six months if convicted on all counts.
Topics California Fraud Workers' Compensation
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