Couple Faces Five Years for WC Fraud

A Grass Valley, Calif., couple faces up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $50,000 after an investigation by CDI Fraud Investigators resulted in multiple felony counts of workers’ compensation insurance fraud against the pair.

Jack Herrera, 25, and Cristalle Salas-Gilbert, 23, reportedly conspired to create a phony workers’ compensation policy, and file a fraudulent workers’ comp claim. Salas-Gilbert allegedly claimed to be the owner of a business called “Credit Care.” She said Herrera (her live-in boyfriend) was her employee and that he had been injured on the job at Credit Care.

An investigation revealed that Herrera was reportedly on house arrest at the time of the alleged injury and was unable to leave his house without permission from his probation officer. Investigators also found no proof that “Credit Care” existed, suggesting that it was allegedly created only on paper and for the sole purpose of committing workers’ comp insurance fraud.

The pair surrendered to authorities on Sept. 12 and appeared for arraignment in a Nevada County Superior Court. The Nevada County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.