Officer Arrested For Workers Compensation Fraud

Los Angeles: On August 14, 2003, the Los Angeles Police Department, Professional Standards Bureau, started an investigation against Officer Carmen Gallegos, a five-year veteran of the LAPD, for Workers’ Compensation Fraud. The five-month investigation determined that Officer Gallegos was unable to work and perform her police duties from June 25, 2003, until September 21, 2003, for an on-duty injury she sustained in 1998.

The investigation determined that Officer Gallegos was working off-duty for two separate employers during her disability status from the Department. Officer Gallegos received over $11,000.00 from Worker’s Compensation benefits while at the same time receiving income from her two other employers.

Los Angeles Police Department presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Workers’ Compensation Division, for consideration of a criminal filing. On January 15, 2004, the District Attorney’s Office filed two felony counts of Worker’s Compensation Fraud and one count of Grand Theft against Officer Gallegos.

On January 21, 2004, at about 10:15 a.m., Officer Gallegos was arrested at the Los Angeles Police Department Central Area Division. Her bail was set at $30,000.00.

The Los Angeles Police Department will continue to investigate employees suspected of abusing Workers’ Compensation Benefits. This is the second LAPD officer arrested by Department investigators for workers’ compensation fraud within the past six months.

The LAPD has a zero tolerance for employees that commit worker’s compensation fraud.

The Department will continue to investigate the personnel commit workers compensation fraud and seek criminal filings whenever possible.

This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.