A Los Angeles police officer who said he was too injured to complete any work was not too injured to jump out of a plane, prosecutors allege.
Christopher Brandon Carnahan, 43, of Norwalk, has been charged with two counts of felony insurance fraud after skydiving multiple times in Lake Elsinore and working out at a gym while collecting disability benefits by exaggerating an on-duty work-related injury, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Carnahan claimed he injured his left elbow while at work in May 2023 and was subsequently placed on temporary total disability status, prosecutors said. Police officers with this status are entitled to receive 100% of their base salary tax-free for up to one year and then two-thirds if the injury persists.
He was arrested Wednesday and is being held on $100,000 bail. His arraignment will be scheduled for a later date, prosecutors said.
If convicted of the charges, he faces up to six years in county jail.
“This case is about honesty and responsibility,” the Los Angeles County district said. Lawyer. Hochman said in a statement. “Claiming to be temporarily totally disabled and collecting disability benefits intended for injured workers while performing physically demanding activities like skydiving is a crime. This is an officer who knows the law and understands the standards he is sworn to uphold.”
He is not the only California first responder who has recently been accused of engaging in insurance fraud.
In December, a California Highway Patrol officer was sentenced to 270 days in county jail for lying about an injury to claim medical retirement. In May, a former Westminster police officer was charged with 15 felonies related to workers' compensation insurance fraud after she was accused of going skiing, visiting Disneyland and partying at the Stagecoach Music Festival while on disability leave. And in August, a Los Angeles County Fire Department captain was charged with four felonies following allegations that he faked a work injury and falsified medical notes to fraudulently claim thousands of dollars in disability payments.
