Garrett Moore (DOB 12/26/1983), of Simi Valley, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to a felony violation of Penal Code section 550(b)(1)—making a fraudulent statement of a material fact for the purpose of obtaining workers’ compensation benefits.
Moore was placed on summary probation for a period of 36 months and was ordered to serve 90 days in the Ventura County jail. The offense was reduced to a misdemeanor by the court because Moore had previously made restitution in full to victim insurance company, York Risk Services, in the amount of $24,000.
Moore was employed as a custodian for the Simi Valley Unified School District and injured his right shoulder on December 4, 2017. He was placed off work on temporary total disability and began receiving medical treatment. York Risk Services learned that Moore owned a carpet cleaning business, but Moore told them he had no active role in the business and all the physical labor was performed by his father and son.
York retained private investigators who obtained surveillance video of Moore using both arms to carry hoses, pushing a large pressure washer up and down ramps, and moving large pieces of furniture and appliances. When he was interviewed by investigators, Moore denied doing any kind of strenuous physical activity.
Workers’ compensation insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. It impacts honest business owners who provide insurance coverage for their employees. In the United States, fraudulent claims cost insured employers $2 billion annually, with much of those costs being passed onto the public. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will vigorously prosecute unscrupulous employees who attempt to victimize employers.
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