{"id":13324,"date":"2025-04-27T14:33:39","date_gmt":"2025-04-27T21:33:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/los-angeles\/?p=13324"},"modified":"2025-04-27T14:33:39","modified_gmt":"2025-04-27T21:33:39","slug":"4-charged-in-14-5-million-workers-comp-scheme-targeting-spanish-speakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/los-angeles\/4-charged-in-14-5-million-workers-comp-scheme-targeting-spanish-speakers\/","title":{"rendered":"4 charged in $14.5 million workers\u2019 comp scheme targeting Spanish speakers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Workers’ Compensation Fraud Scheme Targets Spanish Speakers<\/h1>\n

Introduction to the Scheme<\/h2>\n

\nFour people, including two Inland Empire attorneys, were charged in a workers\u2019 compensation fraud scheme that targeted Spanish speakers, the California Department of Insurance announced.<\/p>\n

The Alleged Fraud<\/h2>\n

\u201cThis is a disturbing case of alleged fraud that preyed on vulnerable, hardworking people,\u201d said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. The estimated loss in the case exceeds $14.5 million, the insurance department said in a news release on Thursday, April 24.<\/p>\n

Investigation and Arrests<\/h3>\n

In Oct. 2022, the department launched an investigation after they received reports that Spanish-speaking workers had been contacted by a call center based in Mexico which allegedly promised workers they could receive money through workers\u2019 compensation claims. Misled, many workers unknowingly filed official workers\u2019 comp claim paperwork that was unlawfully sold to Southern California attorneys, including 41-year-old Michael De La Garza from Fontana and 55-year-old Antony Gluck from San Bernardino.<\/p>\n

Defendants and Charges<\/h4>\n

Gluck and De La Garza were arrested on April 23 by detectives from the Department of Insurance. They were being held on $500,000 bail and were charged with felony conspiracy and unlawful referrals. The other two defendants are Arely Franco, 42, from San Diego, and Juan Leal, 57, from Riverside. Franco was arrested while she attempted to enter the U.S. from a port of entry. She was arraigned and released after she was charged with felony conspiracy and multiple counts of unlawful referrals of workers\u2019 compensation claims.<\/p>\n

Extent of the Scheme<\/h3>\n

From January 2022 to September 2023, Franco allegedly sold approximately 320 clients to attorney De La Garza and his business partner Leal for $168,750. From September 2021 to October 2024, Franco sold an additional 798 clients to attorney Gluck for $388,500, officials said in a statement. Leal, who had prior convictions for similar offenses, according to the insurance department, surrendered and was arraigned on felony conspiracy and unlawful referrals.<\/p>\n

Prosecution and Estimated Loss<\/h2>\n

The insurance department said it based its $14.5 million estimate on a 2024 report from the Workers\u2019 Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau, which stated the average workers\u2019 compensation claim costs approximately $13,000. The case is being prosecuted by the San Bernardino County District Attorney\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The workers\u2019 compensation fraud scheme that targeted Spanish speakers is a disturbing example of how vulnerable individuals can be preyed upon by fraudulent activities. The charges against the four defendants, including two attorneys, highlight the importance of ensuring that the legal system is used ethically and that those who abuse it are held accountable.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n