Veteran LAPD Officers arrested for Workers” Compensation Fraud NR13529AN

Los Angeles:  Two veteran Los Angeles police officers have been arrested following an internal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit.

December 11, 2013, the LAPD’s Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit initiated investigations stemming from medical claims filed by two Los Angeles Police Officers.  Police Officer John Hall and Police Officer Ralph Mendoza both filed medical claims in late 2012 prompting investigations by the LAPD Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit.  

Investigators working in partnership with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Healthcare Fraud Division established probable cause to believe that Officer Hall knowingly provided false testimony during a deposition related to his industrial injury claim under the penalty of perjury and received benefits to which he was not entitled.  In the case of Officer Mendoza, the investigation revealed that Officer Mendoza falsified medical documents related to his industrial injury claim and received benefits to which he was not entitled.  As a result of the investigations arrest warrants were obtained for both officers.

“Public trust is at the very core of the police profession, and when that trust is violated we must employ every measure to restore it,” said Chief Charlie Beck.  “I am troubled whenever our officers are accused of violating that trust.  As the Chief, it is my duty to ensure that we fully investigate these cases of alleged misconduct and to take appropriate action when the misconduct is found to be true” Beck concluded.

Police Officer II Jonathan Hall, a 19-year veteran of the LAPD, last assigned to Emergency Services Division, surrendered to authorities today pursuant to an arrest warrant listing four felony counts of workers’ compensation fraud, insurance fraud, grand theft and attempted perjury.

Officer Hall was booked for the charges with bail set at $80,000.  Officer Hall is 45 years old and resides within Los Angeles County, California.  Officer Hall is assigned home pending the outcome of both the criminal and administrative investigations.

Police Officer  II Ralph Mendoza, a 13-year veteran of the LAPD, last assigned to Hollenbeck Patrol Division, surrendered to authorities today pursuant to an arrest warrant listing two felony counts of workers’ compensation fraud, and grand theft.

Officer Mendoza was booked on the charges and held on $40,000 bail.  Officer Mendoza is 44 years old and resides in San Bernardino County, California.  Officer Mendoza is currently relieved from duty and is pending the outcome of a Department Board of Rights.   

The Workers Compensation Fraud Unit was expanded in late 2008 to investigate workers’ compensation fraud and other allegations involving abuse of benefits by employees.  The goal of the Department is to aggressively investigate fraud and abuse of benefits within the workers’ compensation system.

Anyone with information related to this case, or any other case, is encouraged to call the Los Angeles Police Department, Special Operations Division, at 213-473-5672.  During non-business hours or weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800) 222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most key pads) using a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “web tips” and follow the prompts.