Release Date: October 16, 2009

Contact:

Ernesto J. Acosta, Senior Deputy District Attorney

(805) 662-1702  

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that after an investigation conducted by the Contractors State License Board and the Ventura County District Attorney's Office Bureau of Investigation, the Workers Compensation Fraud Unit filed a criminal complaint against Edward Anthony Cortez (DOB 12/31/68) of Lompoc, California.

The complaint charges Cortez with violating California Labor Code section 3700.5, operating a business without obtaining workers' compensation insurance. Cortez is the operator and principal owner of TC Construction Company, a construction company headquartered in Lompoc , California , and doing business in Ventura County .

The complaint arises out of a March 30, 2009, incident when a construction worker hired by Cortez was injured at a job site in Santa Paula . The injured employee fell about 15 feet and broke his back. Injured employees who work for uninsured employers are forced to seek compensation for their injuries from a program funded by taxpayers and administered by the state.

Arraignment on the complaint is set for November 6, 2009, in courtroom 11 of the Ventura County Superior Court.