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Sheriff's Deputy In California Charged With Comp Fraud

05 Feb, 2009 WorkersCompensation.com

                               
Bakersfield, CA (CompNewsNetwork) – In November 2007, the Kern County Sheriff's Office began a criminal investigation of a fraudulent Workers Compensation claim. The investigation started after an unusually high number of Workers Compensation claims were filed by Thomas Gottwald (WMA 44 yrs). The claims were filed between 2000 and 2007.  During this time, Gottwald was employed as a Sheriff's Detention Deputy and later transitioned to the position of Deputy Sheriff.   

The investigation revealed a number of inconsistent statements and observations of Gottwald's physical condition, which were contrary to his workers compensation claims. 
 
Gottwald resigned from the Sheriff's Office in March 2008.

During a court hearing on January 30, 2009, Gottwald pled not guilty to one count of PC 550(b)(3) (Hiding Facts of Insurance Entitlement Benefits) and one count of Insurance Code 1871.4(a)(1) (Workers Compensation Fraud). Both charges are felonies. Bail was set and posted in the amount of $15,000 and he was ordered to surrender himself for an out-of-custody booking. 

Fraudulent Workers Compensation claims are a concern to the Sheriff, and incidents such as these are investigated vigorously.

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