Rodriguez Admits Workers’ Comp Fraud

Texas Mutual Insurance Company reported that Enrique Rodriguez of Houston has pleaded guilty to workers’ compensation fraud-related charges.

The 390th District Court of Travis County sentenced Rodriguez to two years deferred probation and 100 hours of community service. The court also ordered Rodriguez to pay back the $1,600 in benefits he fraudulently obtained from Texas Mutual.

Rodriguez allegedly hurt his knee in an on-the-job injury in November 1999. His employer became suspicious after hearing conflicting descriptions of the alleged incident. A Texas Mutual investigation obtained surveillance video and medical records that aided the prosecution of Rodriguez.

The video showed Rodriquez working in his yard, carrying large landscaping timbers, and jumping in and out of the bed of his truck as he unloaded dirt from the truck. The medical records, along with information from his treating doctor, helped the prosecution prove that Rodriguez was feigning his disability.

The Rodriguez investigation was part of the Texas Mutual “Zero Tolerance for Fraud” policy. Texas Mutual maintains three teams of investigators permanently assigned to investigate every report of suspected fraud.