California Correction Officer Convicted of Workers’ Comp Fraud

California District Attorney Todd D. Riebe announced that John Daniel Griffin, a former California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) correctional officer, was convicted of three misdemeanor counts of workers’ compensation fraud in Amador County Superior Court. On June 19, 2008, Griffin was sentenced to 120 days in jail, ordered to pay $57,741.37 in restitution, and placed on five years formal probation.

Griffin, 53, of Ione, Calif., allegedly concealed a pre-existing disability when seeking employment from CDCR. While employed as a CDCR employee he made workers’ compensation claims and received workers’ compensation benefits for alleged injuries to his shoulder, foot and leg. While on paid leave, Griffin was observed performing physical activities inconsistent with his injury claims. Griffin was observed loading and unloading lumber and heavy bags of cement while exhibiting no pain, riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, playing golf and carrying three large cases of motor oil. It is also alleged the defendant knowingly concealed his employment as a firefighter while on paid leave from CDCR.

This case was a joint investigation by the California Department of Insurance Fraud Division, Senior Special Agent Russ Pettis from the CDCR Workers’ Compensation Fraud High Impact Team and the Amador County Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit, which investigates insurance fraud cases in Amador, Placer, and Calaveras County through a grant provided by the California Department of Insurance.

Source: AG