Release Date: October 21, 2009

Contact:

Thomas Frye, Deputy District Attorney

(805) 662-1708  

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Armando Landa (DOB 02/06/68) was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of felony workers' compensation fraud.

On May 4, 2007, while working at Chicago For Ribs in Ventura , Landa filed 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 was ordered to serve 120 days in jail, placed on 60 months formal probation, and ordered to pay $28,723 in restitution to Intercare Holdings Insurance Services. Additionally, Landa was ordered to pay $10,000 to the California Department of Insurance, Fraud Division, for investigative costs.