View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2020/11/24/591541.htm
Mark Redheffer, 48, of Fontana, Calif., was arraigned on felony counts of insurance fraud and attempted perjury after allegedly lying and concealing information in a workers’ compensation claim to receive more than $63,000 in temporary disability benefits from his employer, Southern California Edison.
After receiving a referral from SCE, the California Department of Insurance launched an investigation into Redheffer’s claim that he suffered injuries while working as a linesman apprentice in 2015. The investigation, which included surveillance of Redheffer to confirm the legitimacy of his claimed physical limitations and injury, reportedly exposed his workers’ comp claim to be fraudulent.
The felony complaint alleges that Redheffer concealed material information relating to his medical history during an evaluation by a qualified medical examiner, who determined that Redheffer suffered significant physical limitations and was no longer able to perform his job duties. Additionally, Redheffer is charged with lying in a deposition in pursuit of the workers’ comp claim.
Redheffer was charged with three felony counts of insurance fraud and attempted perjury. Prior to Redheffer’s arraignment on Nov. 19, an arrest warrant had been issued in the amount of $50,000. Redheffer is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 29, 2021. The case is being prosecuted by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.