A Los Angeles County Hearth Division captain is dealing with felony fees following allegations that he faked a piece harm and cast medical doctors’ notes to fraudulently declare hundreds of {dollars} in incapacity funds, authorities stated.
Thomas Merryman, 45, allegedly acquired greater than $25,000 in insurance coverage funds for a piece harm that would not have taken place as a result of he was not at work, in keeping with the L.A. County district lawyer’s workplace.
He allegedly submitted faux paperwork below the title of one other fireplace captain and a doctor to Colonial Life & Accident Insurance coverage Firm, permitting him to assert long-term incapacity funds, prosecutors stated.
Merryman, who’s at present believed to stay in Georgetown, Texas, has been charged with one felony rely of insurance coverage fraud, one felony rely of false personation and two felony counts of forgery, prosecutors stated. He’s scheduled to be arraigned in Los Angeles on Sept. 9.
If convicted as charged, he faces as much as 5 years in state jail, authorities stated.
The assertion from the district lawyer’s workplace didn’t present any further data on Merryman’s historical past with the division, or his present employment standing. In response to Clear California, a web based database that tracks pay to public officers, a person of the identical title and recognized as a captain with L.A. County fireplace, acquired $178,466 in complete pay and $112,687 in advantages in 2024.
“Pretend incapacity claims is not going to be tolerated below my watch, particularly by first responders charged with preserving our county secure,” L.A. County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman stated in a press release. “False healthcare claims increase insurance coverage premiums and make it tougher for individuals with authentic work accidents to assert advantages. My message to public servants who abuse the system is evident: We’re watching you.”
