Friday, 29 September 2006 01:22

Former CDCR Correctional Officer, Andrew Felter, Has Benn Found Guilty of Insurance Fraud

Andrew Felter

A former California Dept. of Correction and Rehabilitation correctional officer pled guilty to two felony counts of insurance fraud in Amador Superior Court according to a press release from District Attorney Todd Riebe. September 21st 35 year old Steve Andrew Felter was sentenced to 100 days in jail, placed on five years formal probation, and ordered to pay restitution in an amount that is still to be determined, however the amount is expected not to exceed $100,000.

Felter who is a Pine Grove resident, was arrested earlier this year on May 2nd following an eighteen month investigation by a CDCR Internal Affairs and the Amador County District Attorney’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Unit into his alleged injuries suffered while working at the California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation or CDCR in 1998. According to the release Felter claimed he injured his left leg while at work in February of 1998. He returned to work, but soon filed a second claim, alleging in injury to his lower back in December. He claimed his second injury occurred as a result of opening a roof hatch door at the prison. He was subsequently placed on disability and began to receive works’ compensation benefits. From 1998 through 2004, Felter continued to complain of leg and back pain. He also said he was unable to perform certain activities due to these alleged injuries. He was eventually categorized as a Qualified Injured Worker and placed on disability. However, investigation videos show otherwise. Sub-rosa videos showed Felter lifting heavy objects, walking without any noticeable impairment, and other actions inconsistent with his claims. The investigation also revealed Felter was employed as a car salesman for Jackson Ford Mercury during the same period he was received disability payments. These insurance frauds unfortunately are not uncommon. The California Dept. of Insurance reports that 10% to 30% of the $10 billion in workers’ compensation claims filed annually are fraudulent, costing California businesses and consumers a reported $1 billion dollars to $3 billion dollars per year. The investigation of this case included the CDCR Senior Special Agent Russ Pettis, John D’Agostini from the Amador County District Attorney’s Office and investigators for the California Dept. of Insurance.