A Los Angeles County Hearth Division captain is dealing with felony expenses following allegations that he faked a piece damage and solid docs’ notes to fraudulently declare 1000’s of {dollars} in incapacity funds, authorities stated.
Thomas Merryman, 45, allegedly obtained greater than $25,000 in insurance coverage funds for a piece damage that would not have taken place as a result of he was not at work, in keeping with the L.A. County district legal professional’s workplace.
He allegedly submitted pretend paperwork beneath the title of one other fireplace captain and a doctor to Colonial Life & Accident Insurance coverage Firm, permitting him to say long-term incapacity funds, prosecutors stated.
Merryman, who’s at present believed to stay in Georgetown, Texas, has been charged with one felony rely of insurance coverage fraud, one felony rely of false personation and two felony counts of forgery, prosecutors stated. He’s scheduled to be arraigned in Los Angeles on Sept. 9.
If convicted as charged, he faces as much as 5 years in state jail, authorities stated.
The assertion from the district legal professional’s workplace didn’t present any further info on Merryman’s historical past with the division, or his present employment standing. In accordance with Clear California, an internet database that tracks pay to public officers, a person of the identical title and recognized as a captain with L.A. County fireplace, obtained $178,466 in complete pay and $112,687 in advantages in 2024.
“Faux incapacity claims won’t be tolerated beneath my watch, particularly by first responders charged with preserving our county secure,” L.A. County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman stated in an announcement. “False healthcare claims increase insurance coverage premiums and make it tougher for folks with respectable work accidents to say advantages. My message to public servants who abuse the system is obvious: We’re watching you.”
