Bobby Levell Gilbert, Jr., 66 of Santa Ana, California, and owner of B & J Tree Service, has been charged with 96 felony counts for alleged wage theft, denial of workers’ compensation benefits to employees, workers’ compensation fraud, failure to pay taxes and perjury.
Gilbert’s Office Manager Bertha Rubi Sanchez, 30 of Anaheim, has also been charged with multiple felonies for her alleged role. Gilbert and Sanchez’ arraignment was continued until Dec. 13.
An investigation by the California Department of Insurance reportedly showed 32 workers were identified that were either denied the wages they had earned, or the workers’ comp benefits they were entitled to when injured on the job, or both.
According to CDI, between October 2013 and August 2021, Gilbert and Sanchez conspired together to underreport payroll to insurance carriers roughly $1.3 million. The failure to report employee payroll resulted in the illegal reduction of workers’ comp premiums, leading to roughly $248,757 in premium owed. The underreported payroll also resulted in an unpaid payroll tax to Employment Development Department of $140,485.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.
Topics California Fraud Workers' Compensation
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