A former California cop who allegedly collected $600,000 on full incapacity go away whereas taking luxurious holidays to Disneyland and music festivals should pay again the whole lot of the funds she ripped off, town alleges.
The town of Westminster introduced Wednesday that they’re suing Nicole Brown to carry the previous officer “accountable for this [breach] of public trust” and “recover all of the funds,” KTLA reported.
“The lawsuit seeks repayment of all disability and medical payments, benefits, and other funds unlawfully obtained by Brown; and seeks to recover costs associated with investigation and prosecution of the lawsuit,” town mentioned.
The costs come after Brown, who had been with the Westminster Police Division since 2019, suffered a minor head abrasion throughout an arrest in 2022 and used the damage to take a several-year-long go away — however was seen partying on the Stagecoach music competition, based on the Orange County District Legal professional’s Workplace.
Three days after the competition, Brown appeared on a Zoom assembly about her well being in a darkened room and instructed Westminster police officers she was unable to take a look at the display with out discomfort.
The town mentioned that Brown claimed she suffered “post-concussion syndrome,” which brought on her complications, dizziness, and sensitivity to mild and sound.
Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen slammed the previous cop for betraying the general public’s belief and mentioned town owes it to its residents and “honest, hard-working officers” to “recover these funds.”
“Our residents count on us to protect their taxpayer dollars and ensure that employees who are actually injured receive the support they need to recover. Fraud will not be tolerated in Westminster,” Nguyen mentioned.
In Might, the Orange County District Legal professional’s Workplace claimed the alleged malingerer maintained an energetic way of life throughout her lengthy work hiatus.
Prosecutors declare she visited Disneyland, ran two 5K races, went on a snowboarding or snowboarding journey, attended soccer and baseball video games, and pursued an internet grasp’s diploma whereas amassing the hefty $600,000 by way of her full, tax-free wage — along with her medical bills.
Brown has been charged with 9 counts of constructing a fraudulent assertion to acquire compensation, six counts of constructing a fraudulent insurance coverage profit declare, and one felony enhancement of committing an aggravated white collar crime over $100,000.
If convicted, she faces as much as 22 years in jail.
The 39-year-old additionally acquired assist in conceiving the alleged scheme from her stepfather, Peter Gregory Schuman — an lawyer who practices in employees’ compensation.
Schuman, 57, “did all the talking” for Brown in conferences with Westminster PD officers and oversaw his stepdaughter’s admission into an inpatient middle for people with traumatic mind accidents, prosecutors mentioned.
Schuman is charged with two felonies linked to the alleged scheme that carry a most of eight years in state jail, the discharge said.
He might additionally face the lack of his license to observe regulation if discovered responsible.
