California DA: Officer Claimed $600,000 for Fake Injury While Attending Music Festival and Running 5K Races
Police Officer Faces Fraud Charges Over Alleged Injury Claims
In Southern California, a police officer’s claims of injury have taken a controversial turn. Nicole Brown, 39, from the Westminster Police Department, is facing accusations that raise eyebrows across the state. She has been charged with 15 felonies related to workers’ compensation and insurance fraud. The allegations stem from a reported head injury she claimed to have sustained on the job.
The Orange County District Attorney’s office announced these charges following an investigation that unraveled a series of events many found hard to believe. It all started on March 21, 2022, when Brown received what prosecutors describe as a “minor abrasion” while arresting an uncooperative suspect. Despite being cleared by an emergency room doctor to return to work without restrictions, she reported symptoms including headaches and dizziness, eventually leading to a diagnosis of a severe concussion.
Brown’s case took an unexpected twist when investigators discovered her activities during the period she was collecting disability payments. While claiming Total Temporary Disability, she reportedly attended multiple events – including soccer conferences in San Diego and recreational activities such as running 5K races and skiing trips at Big Bear and Mammoth. Her alleged participation in these activities painted a different picture than her medical claims suggested.
Further scrutiny came after reports surfaced of Brown enjoying herself at the Stagecoach Music Festival in April 2023 – an event renowned for its vibrant atmosphere filled with loud music and bright lights. Witnesses saw her “dancing and drinking,” which contrasted sharply with her reported sensitivity to light and noise.
Brown’s attorney, Brian Gurwitz, insists on her innocence, asserting that she indeed suffered a significant head injury while on duty and plans to contest the charges vigorously. Meanwhile, prosecutors argue her actions during the disability period contradict her claims of incapacity.
The situation complicates further with charges against her stepfather, Peter Schuman, 57, who faces two felony counts related to insurance fraud and abetting Brown’s alleged crimes. As a licensed attorney in California, Schuman could face disciplinary actions from the state bar.
Brown joined the Westminster Police Department in February 2019, as noted by Behind the Badge, a publication focusing on law enforcement news in California. Her career now hangs in balance amid these serious allegations.
Kimberly Edds from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office expressed strong disapproval of Brown’s actions, highlighting the breach of trust such behavior represents within law enforcement circles. Edds also mentioned that Brown was pursuing an online master’s degree in organizational leadership during this period.
This case underlines the complexities surrounding workers’ compensation claims and raises questions about oversight within departments managing such cases. The Westminster Police Department had previously celebrated Brown during Women’s History Month, quoting her advice: “Reflect, accept and learn from all situations.” Now, those words take on new weight as she faces potentially severe legal consequences.
For further information on this unfolding story, visit ABC News.
