California City Suing Former Officer Who Skied, Went to Festival on Workers’ Comp

A California city has filed a civil lawsuit against a former police officer who went skiing and attended a music festival while collecting workers’ compensation.

Westminster filed the suit against a former police officer who was charged with 15 felonies for committing worker’s comp insurance fraud after the city council voted unanimously to seek to recover all of the funds, which amount to more than $600,000. The council also voted to hold the officer accountable for a breech of public trust.

The city’s lawsuit names Nicole Brown of Riverside and seeks repayment of all disability and medical payments, benefits, and other funds the city says were unlawfully obtained by Brown. It also seeks to recover costs associated with investigation and prosecution of the lawsuit.

The Orange County District Attorney’s office charged Brown with 15 felony counts and one felony enhancement. Peter Gregory Schuman of Buena Park, a workers’ comp attorney and Brown’s stepfather, was charged with two felony counts for making a fraudulent insurance benefit claim and assisting Brown, according to the Orange County DA’s office.

Brown reportedly suffered an abrasion to her forehead while on the job on March 21, 2022, while attempting to arrest an uncooperative suspect. She was examined by an emergency room doctor and released to work without restrictions. Several days later she was diagnosed with severe concussion syndrome and placed on Total Temporary Disability, according to the DA’s charges.

While on disability, Brown had been reportedly skiing or snowboarding, had competed in 5K races, attended conferences, played golf, went to Disneyland and was seen dancing at a music festival.

Topics Lawsuits California Workers' Compensation

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