Release Date: September 10, 2009

Contact:

Thomas Frye, Deputy District Attorney

(805) 662-1708

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Armando Landa (DOB 02/06/68) pleaded guilty to one count of felony workers' compensation fraud. The California Department of Insurance, Fraud Division, investigated the case.

On May 4, 2007, while working at Chicago Ribs in Ventura , Landa brought a workers' compensation claim following an alleged injury to his right elbow. He received treatment for his injury and was granted leave from work. From May 25, 2007, to August 13, 2008, Landa was given tax-free, bi-weekly checks for living expenses, totaling $30,651. On December 19, 2007, while still off work and receiving benefits, Landa obtained employment as a bus boy at Teppan's Steak House in Oxnard . At a deposition, under oath, Landa denied working anywhere since the time of his injury, despite the fact that he was working at Teppan's Steak House at the time of the deposition. Landa's conduct and false statement constituted fraud.

Landa will be sentenced on October 20, 2009, at 1:30 in courtroom 12. He is facing up to five years in state prison.