Crime & Safety
San Leandro Woman Pleads Guilty To Fraud, Identity Theft
A 40-year-old San Leandro woman pleaded guilty to falsifying documents to receive an additional $10,590 on her workers' compensation claim.
SAN LEANDRO, CA — A 40-year-old San Leandro woman has pleaded guilty in Marin County to two felony counts of insurance fraud and identity theft for falsifying documents to receive an additional $10,590 on her workers' compensation claim, the California Department of Insurance said Friday.
Marlene Cavalcanti filed a workers' compensation claim after reportedly injuring herself in a fall while working as an executive assistant and in all received more than $42,000 in temporary disability payments in addition to her medical treatment, according to the department.
The department said it investigated and learned that Cavalcanti ended medical treatment after being placed on disability and began working for another company.
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"During this time, she submitted multiple fictitious doctors reports in an attempt to continue to receive disability payments from the workers' compensation insurance company. When confronted by detectives, Cavalcanti ultimately admitted to the fraudulent documents and forged doctors' signatures," the department said in a release.
Detectives also learned that at her new employer she attempted to file a new compensation claim at a different insurance company that included similar dates and injuries that overlapped with her original claim. The investigation resulted in no payment on the subsequent claim.
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"Every dollar paid on a fraudulent insurance claim increases the cost to California consumers who are forced to pay higher premiums to make up for the loss to insurers," state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said.
"We remain committed to finding and fighting fraud during this pandemic."
The case was prosecuted by the Marin County District Attorney's Office. Cavalcanti is expected to return to court Sept. 9 for sentencing.
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