
SIU Criminal Filing
Farm Laborer | Felony Insurance Fraud Charges Filed
San Joaquin County, Calif., July, 2018 — This claim involves a 48-year-old male seasonal farm laborer who worked for the insured harvesting olives from September 26, 2016 to November 12, 2016, after which time the season ended. On January 6, 2017, the Claimant retained counsel and filed a claim alleging multiple injuries sustained on his last day of work. The employer disputed any knowledge of the injuries or any previous reporting. The claim was denied, but EDD provided disability benefits.
Throughout the course of the claim, the claimant consistently reported high levels of pain and physical limitations. He also denied engaging in any employment activities to his medical providers and during the deposition.
Indirect contrast to his statements, presentations and testimony, Argus West surveillance investigations found the claimant traveling to a private vineyard field where it appeared he was employed on multiple dates. In addition to the apparent misrepresentations about employment and physical activities, the claimant also misrepresented his true medical history when he denied prior injuries to the QME and during the deposition, for which records were obtained reflecting significant prior relevant injuries. Argus First SIU prepared a full Documented Referral Package to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office on December 7, 2017. Felony insurance fraud charges were filed on June 28, 2018 and the Claimant is set to be arraigned on July 11, 2018. The final restitution figure is pending conviction but requested at approximately $23,867.