Leddy was also ordered to pay a fine of $13,500 to the California Workers' Compensation Fraud Account for the investigation and prosecution of workers' compensation fraud. Looper received a similar sentence but was ordered to pay $2,500 fine. Both defendants are required to perform 360 hours of community service. In a press release, Riebe said, “This case illustrates how our multi-county fraud program investigates and prosecutes all types of workers’ compensation fraud – not just employee fraud, but employer fraud as well.” An anonymous tip revealed the store director and assistant store director at the Raley’s Bel Air store in Roseville had discouraged several injured employees from filing workers’ compensation claims.

The caller also said the store managers would receive bonuses if the store did not report any workers’ compensation injuries for one year. An investigation by Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit discovered the managers had instructed injured employees to use their private health insurance and also found evidence of injured employees who were offered cash payments and paid days off instead of filing a claim. One injured employee received $200 from the store fund to cover co-payments for private health insurance coverage. Another employee was instructed to go to her family doctor and falsely say the injury happened at home instead of at work. If you or someone you know has been injured at work and discouraged from filing a workers’ compensation claim, you may report it to the Fraud Hotline at (916) 854-5700 or the District Attorney’s Fraud Unit 223-6562.