Fontana electrician arraigned in $63,000 workers’ compensation insurance scheme
News: 2020 Press Release
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Mark Redheffer, 48, of Fontana, was arraigned yesterday on felony counts of insurance fraud and attempted perjury after allegedly lying and concealing information in a workers’ compensation claim in order to receive over $63,000 in undeserved temporary disability benefits from his employer, Southern California Edison (SCE).
After receiving a referral from Redheffer’s employer, SCE, the Department of Insurance launched an investigation into Redheffer’s claim that he suffered injuries while working as a linesman apprentice in 2015. The extensive investigation, which included surveillance of Redheffer to confirm the legitimacy of his claimed physical limitations and injury, exposed his workers’ compensation claim to be fraudulent.
The felony complaint alleges that Redheffer concealed material information relating to his medical history during an evaluation by a Qualified Medical Examiner, who determined that Redheffer suffered significant physical limitations and was no longer able to perform his job duties. Additionally, Redheffer is charged with lying in a deposition in pursuit of the workers’ compensation claim.
Redheffer was charged with three felony counts of insurance fraud and attempted perjury. Prior to Redheffer’s arraignment on November 19, 2020, an arrest warrant had been issued in the amount of $50,000. Redheffer is scheduled to return to court on January 29, 2021. The case is being prosecuted by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
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Media Note:
- Additional information from the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office on this case, including the charging document, is available here.
Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.
