RALEIGH, N.C., May 23, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- MJM, Inc., the global leader in insurance fraud mitigation and claims investigative services, working with Everest National Insurance Company, successfully aided in the arrest and conviction of a California woman for fraudulent workers' compensation insurance claims.
Cidy Correa, former manager of Miramonte Restaurant in St. Helena, Calif., claimed she tripped and fell while working on March 30, 2004. She allegedly suffered injuries in the fall and resigned from her employment less than a month later.
Correa received total disability checks in excess of one year, for a total amount of nearly $24,000. She received extensive medical treatment and was declared Permanent and Stationary in August 2005 with work restrictions.
Surveillance was conducted in December 2004 where Correa was documented working at a wine store. Payroll records from the wine store and a winery were subpoenaed and revealed she was paid more than $11,000 by the two businesses while still receiving workers' compensation benefits.
During Correa's deposition on April 21, 2005, she testified that she had not worked anywhere since April 27, 2004, her last day at Miramonte Restaurant.
MJM sent a fraud package to the Napa District Attorney's office March 1, 2007. A restitution demand letter was sent on October 1, 2007, requesting $19,703.90 in restitution.
On October 3, 2007, the Deputy District Attorney advised she was filing a complaint with five charges, which included two counts of making false statements to obtain benefits, one count of omitting information which would reduce benefits, one count of perjury and one count of grand theft.
On March 21, 2008, Correa accepted a plea bargain, in which she plead guilty to one count of insurance fraud, was placed on probation for two years and ordered to 45 days of community service. Correa's attorney presented a check for $15,059.90 for restitution.
About MJM, Inc.
MJM Inc., headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., is the international leader in providing a wide variety of investigative products and services to insurance carriers, self-insured corporations and third-party administrators. MJM provides quality field investigations, comprehensive SIU programs, strategic anti-fraud planning, innovative educational courses, integrated Internet-based technologies and professional consulting services. For more information, visit www.mjminc.com.
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