SMC Cop Charged In Insurance Fraud Pleads No Contest

REDWOOD CITY, CA -- A 44-year-old San Mateo County sheriff's correctional officer pleaded no contest Wednesday to misdemeanor worker's compensation fraud and was sentenced to 10 days in county jail, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

Edmundo Rocha was charged with misdemeanor insurance fraud after he was found to have participated in an obstacle course race while receiving disability payments for a sprained shoulder, prosecutors said.

Rocha reported an injury in October 2016 that he said resulted from defensive tactics training the previous month, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.

Rocha was diagnosed with a left shoulder sprain and was offered workers' compensation benefits. His doctor ordered him to be on modified duty, but the sheriff's office eventually had him stay out of work on total temporary disability, prosecutors said.

However, while on disability, he ran in a Spartan Race and a GoPro camera worn by a fellow sheriff's employee captured Rocha navigating obstacles in the course. When he went to see a specialist weeks later, he did not disclose that he was able to participate in the race, prosecutors said.

Rocha did eventually have surgery on his left shoulder, according to the district attorney's office. Prosecutors said they are seeking $5,000 in restitution to the county.

Rocha was set for arraignment Wednesday morning and is out of custody on his own recognizance. His attorney Josh Bentley was not immediately available for comment on the case.

--Bay City News/Image via Sue Wood, Patch