Madera County Calif. Woman Arrested for Workers’ Comp Fraud

A Madera County, Calif. woman was arrested last week on workers’ comp fraud charges.

Jennelle Nanleen Allen, 38, was arrested by the California Department of Insurance and Madera District Attorney’s Office Investigators following a joint investigation by the CDI Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Wal-Mart Corporate Claims Investigation Unit.

Allen was booked at the Madera County Jail on charges of knowingly making a false material representation for the purpose of obtaining workers’ compensation benefits. Bail was set at $15,000.

According to CDI Investigators, Allen reported an alleged back injury while employed at a Madera County Wal-Mart. She was placed on workers’ compensation and eventually received more than $15,000 in benefits and medical treatments. Soon after the reported injury, Allen was placed under surveillance by private investigators who videotaped her on several occasions working at her boyfriend’s mini-market without apparent difficulty.

When Allen contacted a doctor for her follow-up, she stated that she was still unable to work due to her inability to move without pain. Allen was unaware the doctor had viewed the videotaped surveillance of her working with no apparent pain. After being confronted with this evidence, Allen admitted to working at her boyfriend’s mini-market.

If convicted, Allen could face up to five years in state prison and/or fines up to $15,000. The Madera County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

Topics California Fraud Workers' Compensation