Northern California Woman Pleads Guilty to Workers’ Comp Fraud and ID Theft

Marlene Cavalcanti, 40, has pleaded guilty to two felony counts of insurance fraud and identity theft after falsifying documents to receive an additional $10,590 on her workers’ compensation claim.

Cavalcanti, employed as an executive assistant, reportedly fell at work and sustained injuries. As a result of her subsequent workers’ comp claim, Cavalcanti received more than $42,000 in total temporary disability payments in addition to her medical treatment.

An investigation by the California Department of Insurance revealed that after being placed on disability, Cavalcanti ceased medical treatment and began working for another company. During this time, she reportedly submitted multiple fictitious doctors’ reports in an attempt to continue to receive disability payments from the workers’ comp insurance company. When confronted by detectives, Cavalcanti ultimately admitted to the fraudulent documents and forged doctors’ signatures.

During the investigation, department detectives reportedly discovered Cavalcanti attempted to file a new workers’ comp claim at a different insurance company with her new employer. The new workers’ comp claim dates and injuries were similar and overlapped with her initial claim. The investigation by detectives prevented payment on this subsequent fraudulent claim and the insurance company incurred no loss.

Cavalcanti is expected back in court Sept. 9 2020 for sentencing. The Marin County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

Topics California Fraud Workers' Compensation