Orange County DA Press Release
Case # 17CF1361-17CF1369, 17CF1372-17CF1373 Date: June 5, 2017 PHASE I CHARGES FILED ON 10 ATTORNEYS AND SIX CAPPERS IN MASSIVE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE REFERRAL SCHEME *Largest number of attorneys charged in one case in Orange County history SANTA ANA, Calif. – Ten attorneys and six cappers were charged today for participating in a massive multi-million dollar workers’ compensation insurance referral scheme that exploited persons in predominantly Spanish-speaking communities. This is the first phase of filing resulting from a 3-year insurance fraud investigation by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) Bureau of Investigation, Insurance Fraud Unit with assistance from the California Department of Insurance (CDI). Charges Defendants (Attorney) Defendants (Cappers) Charged on June 5, 2017, with multiple felony counts of:
Sentencing Enhancements:
Maximum sentences range from seven years to 25 years and eight months in state prison
*Individual complaints specifying charges for each defendant are available upon request. Circumstances of the Case
Business & Professions Code § 6152 prohibits individuals or businesses from procuring clients (aka “capping”) for attorneys or law offices. Likewise, Insurance Code § 750 and Labor Code § 3215 also prohibit attorneys from paying cappers for referred clients. Insurance Code § 750 and Labor Code § 3215 also prohibit copy service companies from offering any type of consideration to attorneys in exchange for the referral of business. Moreover, conspiring to illegally refer or pay for clients and hiding the capping from the insurance company in order to obtain benefits is further prohibited by Penal Code §§ 549, 550(a)(1), and 550(b)(3). The Orange County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation investigated this case with the assistance of the California Department of Insurance. Prosecutor: Deputy District Attorney Noor Hasan, Insurance Fraud Unit
8 Comments
2/3/2022 02:57:10 pm
This case are accused of paying a monthly fee for the Cappers to procure and deliver an agreed upon minimum number of retained clients per month. Thank you, amazing post!
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2/4/2022 03:05:41 pm
On an intake packet, numerous blank documents, and an attorney retainer agreement, without any contact with or input from the assigned attorney. Thank you for sharing your great post!
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3/14/2023 03:27:49 pm
It is bad that the people that are meant to protect us are the ones exploiting us. I Hope they all face the consequences of their actions.
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5/19/2023 05:52:24 pm
Dear Hefley Law,
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ALICIA MILLS
10/13/2023 09:17:59 pm
i just recently found out about these crimes. i was one of the injure workers. A box showed up tp my door step with my records and i found the name of one of these people that went to jail. i had argued about how my record was all wrong and now i have proof that they switched my file; name of illnesses were changed. i ended up in the hospital in many occasions due to the medication they gave me. Now i find out that Edgar Gonzales the person with a copying company was teaming my records or I'm still not sure what they did and if my prior attorney had something to do with it. i have a lot of evidence and i have been ignored through the workers comp system. please guide me.
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5/22/2024 11:25:16 pm
Reading about the charges filed on 10 attorneys and six cappers in the massive multi-million dollar workers' compensation insurance referral scheme is both shocking and eye-opening. It's distressing to learn about individuals exploiting vulnerable communities, especially those predominantly Spanish-speaking. However, I appreciate the thoroughness of the investigation by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the California Department of Insurance, as well as the detailed explanation of the laws involved in such cases. This article not only sheds light on the severity of the offenses but also educates readers about the legal implications of such actions, helping us understand the importance of upholding ethical standards and protecting the rights of individuals.
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5/23/2024 12:36:08 am
Reading about the charges filed against these attorneys and cappers in Orange County was a real eye-opener. It's shocking to see how a scheme like this could exploit people in Spanish-speaking communities for so long. This article did a great job breaking down the details of the case, from how the referral network worked to the laws being violated. It's important to shine a light on these kinds of crimes and the consequences they have for both the victims and the perpetrators. Thanks to this article, I now have a better understanding of the laws surrounding client referrals and the actions being taken to combat such schemes. 5/24/2024 05:03:17 am
This article about the Orange County DA filing charges against attorneys and cappers in a massive workers' compensation insurance referral scheme left me feeling shocked and outraged. It's disheartening to learn about individuals exploiting vulnerable communities, especially in schemes that involve legal professionals. The detailed breakdown of how the referral mill worked helped me grasp the complexity of the issue and the extent of the manipulation involved. Thanks to this article, I now understand the importance of regulations against receiving compensation for referrals and the severe consequences of such unethical practices. Great job on shedding light on this crucial topic in a clear and informative manner!
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