LOS ANGELES (CNS) – The California Department of Insurance announced
$5.9 million in grant money today to help the Los Angeles County District
Attorney’s Office investigate and prosecute workers’ compensation insurance
fraud.

The Orange County District Attorney will receive $3.6 million as part of
$32 million in grants awarded statewide by Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones.
In 2010, the state conducted 2,888 investigations that led to 666
convictions for fraudulent claims, under-reporting or under-payment on behalf
of workers worth more than $251 million, according to the Insurance Department.

Jones said workers’ compensation fraud places a “significant” added
burden on the insurance system at a time when the state is facing a $15.7
billion budget deficit.

“We have an obligation to provide protection to injured workers who require both care and compensation so they are able to get back to work as quickly as possible, while also rooting out fraud perpetrated by those seeking to game the system,” Jones said.

The grants are awarded annually based on the offices’ applications and
previous year’s performance.

Riverside County received $1.5 million. San Diego County was awarded
$4.5 million.

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