Sub-Rosa video leads to Fraud Conviction

​A Southern California applicant was sentenced to 30 days in county jail after pleading guilty to a workers’ compensation fraud charge for misrepresenting his limitations, according to Probe Information Services.

Julio Cesar Gomez filed a claim for an injury he said he sustained while working for Silver Creek Industries. Gomez said he was bending over removing nails and felt a strain as he straightened his body.

Gomez testified during a deposition that he had not performed yardwork, automotive repair work or lifted anything weighing more than 15 pounds since the date of his injury. During a medical evaluation, Gomez denied engaging in rigorous activities and said he was unable to work because of pain.

Probe Information Services said it obtained surveillance footage of Gomez performing physically demanding activities including digging holes with a shovel, climbing in and out of the holes, jumping over a fence, installing a roof liner inside a vehicle, carrying a full tool bag and carrying automotive parts weighing more than 15 pounds.

A medical evaluator said there were substantial differences between Gomez’s subjective complaints and what the video footage showed. Based on the video, the evaluator said Gomez didn’t require any work restrictions and wasn’t entitled to benefits.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office filed three felony workers’ compensation fraud charges against Gomez, who pleaded guilty to one count on May 3. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and ordered to pay restitution totaling $30,000