MOISES HERRERA LAMAS, 36, of Porterville was found guilty of committing workers’ compensation insurance fraud on February 6, 2006 by a Tulare County Jury.

Moises Lamas, who works for Porterville Development Center in Porterville was sentenced to 270 days in custody at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Detention Facility, 3 years felony probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,293. If Lamas violates his probation he may be sentenced to prison for 3 years.

On July 23, 2004, Lamas reported a low back injury while lifting a box of food in the main kitchen warehouse department of the Porterville Development Center. Lamas was placed on temporary disability and began receiving workers’ compensation benefits and wages.

Porterville Development Center Workers’ Compensation Case Manager received information Lamas would be moving the contents of his residence during the time of his supposed injury. Surveillance video was set up and it showed Lamas moving the contents of his house along with the help of another person. Moises Lamas could be seen lifting his refrigerator, washer, dryer, couch, and other heavy items into the bed of his truck without signs of pain. The video surveillance shows Lamas moving household items for three straight days stopping in the middle of one of the days to attend a physical therapy session where he told the therapist he was in pain and had trouble moving his arm and leg.

Porterville Development Center notified the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations and an investigation was conducted. On October 19, 2004 an arrest warrant was issued for two counts of workers’ compensation insurance fraud. Moises Lamas was arrested by members of the Tulare County District Attorney’s Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit.

Further investigation by Investigator Ben Rodriguez subsequently led to the charging of one additional count of insurance fraud and one count of grand theft. On January 30, 2006, a jury trial was conducted by Deputy District Attorney Michael Hayward and on February 6, 2006, a Tulare County Jury found Moises Lamas guilty of all three counts of insurance fraud and one count of grand theft. Moises Lamas was sentenced on March 14, 2006 in Department 4 of Tulare County Superior Court in Visalia, Honorable Judge Gerald Sevier presiding.

For additional information contact:

Carol B. Turner
Assistant District Attorney
Telephone (559) 733-6411