loading

California Officials: Benefits Beneficiaries

What on earth happened to the pride and importance of doing good, old fashioned, hard work?

Two California politicians, one from Daly City and the other from Rosemeade, made the headlines for receiving benefits, worker’s compensation and unemployment respectively.

Maggie Gomez, 55, who has served in Daly City council for eight years as well as mayor and vice mayor has been charged with workers' compensation fraud, making false statements in support of an insurance claim and attempted perjury after she was caught doing activities which she was supposedly unable to do because she was too injured to even do her job.

From 2005 to 2007, she claimed benefits and repeatedly lied before the Worker’s Compensation Board, insurance companies, claims administrators and the state Employment Development Department about her injury and the extent of her disability.

Investigators have found Ms. Gomez working out at the gym, walking long distances and shopping, riding a motorcycle and even climbing out of her boyfriend's truck.

Ousted Rosemead City Councilman John Nunez on the other hand, found that service is indeed rewarding – financially rewarding. After losing his council seat, Nunez reportedly collects $450 a week in unemployment benefits. Since his term ended in March, he has received more than $11,000.

Rosemead city officials allegedly opposed the grant of benefits to Nunez as ousted councilmen were never given unemployment before but was approved by the Employment Development Department.

Under federal law, it is a criminal offense to misuse Social Security benefits, conceal information, and deliberately lie to the Social Security Administration.

Aside from having to return the money offenders have obtained through fraud or concealment of material information (an example is that the beneficiary did not inform authorities that his medical condition is improving and that he can go back to work), they may face loss of benefits and imprisonment.

| More
First Name  
Last Name  
City  
State  
Phone  
Email  
Type  
Details  
Join Our Mailing List

  Type the letters below:  

Captcha Image
Follow us on Twitter
Facebook
Avvo Profile
Linkedin Profile
Rodney Mesriani on

Follow us on Twitter
Facebook
Avvo Profile
Linkedin Profile