Calif. Man Pleads Guilty to Workers’ Comp Fraud

June 27, 2005

Ventura County (California) District Attorney Gregory Totten announced that John Arcurio (DOB 2/16/57), a resident of Ventura County, pleaded guilty to workers’ compensation fraud. The prosecution of Arcurio followed an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigations Branch of the California Department of Insurance.

On March 14, 2003, while working at Moorpark Community College, Arcurio brought a workers’ comp claim following an injury to his right knee. He received treatment for his injury, was granted leave from work, and was given regular compensation for living expenses.

On May 12, 2003, while still off work and receiving benefits, Arcurio obtained employment as a landscape supervisor at Mariposa Horticultural. He reportedly failed to inform his insurance carrier or his doctors about this new employment. On June 12, 2003, Arcurio was questioned by investigators about any employment subsequent to his injury. Arcurio reportedly denied any such employment despite the fact that he was still working at Mariposa Horticultural while being paid benefits. He was interviewed a second time on May 11, 2004, and again reportedly lied. Arcurio received income from both his Mariposa Horticultural job and his workers’ comp checks between May and July 2003.

On Wednesday, June 22, 2005, Arcurio pleaded guilty to one felony count of workers’ comp fraud and a second felony count of insurance fraud.

He remains out of custody on a $10,000 bond pending his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled on Aug. 24, 2005, at 1:30 p.m. in Division 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. The maximum possible sentence for these two crimes is six years in prison.

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