California’s State Fund Seminar on Workers’ Comp Fraud Draws Kern County Employers

As part of its commitment to fight workers’ compensation insurance fraud, State Fund held a seminar May 18 at the Valley Plaza’s Pacific Theatre where more than 200 Kern County employers heard State Fund and law enforcement officials outline a problem that robs California’s economy of millions of dollars each year.

The seminar included presentations from Kern County District Attorney Ed Jaggels, Deputy District Attorney David Wolf, State Fund Fraud Investigation Program Manager Donna Gallagher and fraud investigator Brad Burks from State Fund’s Bakersfield District Office.

“We are very appreciative for the high level of interest among Kern County employers in helping us and law enforcement officials fight fraud which drives up costs in California’s workers’ compensation insurance system,” said State Fund Vice President George Vignolo who spoke at the seminar. “It is truly gratifying to see the response and commitment from the Bakersfield community.”

According to Gallagher, “Insurance fraud is the number two ‘white collar’ crime in the nation.” She added, “David Wolf is responsible for developing and inspiring a team that has made the Kern County District Attorney’s Workers’ Comp Fraud Unit into a force to be reckoned with.”

Wolf highlighted a number of fraud convictions in Kern County and called State Fund “the most aggressive insurer with which I
work.”

State Fund’s District Offices schedule free fraud seminars for system
stakeholders – including employers and brokers – throughout the year. Kern County employers can call (661) 664-4003.

State Fund is sponsoring a fraud seminar on Friday, May 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel, 285 Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino. Featured speakers include San Bernardino County Lead Deputy District Attorney Workers’ Compensation Fund Unit, Tracy Bartell, Donna Gallagher and State Fund Government Relations Officer Pat Quintana. For more information, call (909) 499-6925.