O.C. Sheriff’s Deputy Faces Fraud Charges
An Orange County Sheriff’s deputy has been charged with workers’ compensation fraud following an internal investigation into his back injury claims, according to county prosecutors.
Deputy Jeffrey David Hollenbeck, 33, has pleaded innocent to three counts of making false or misleading statements in order to receive workers’ compensation insurance benefits.
Sheriff’s Department spokesman Lt. Ron Wilkerson said he could not comment on the case because it involves a confidential personnel matter.
Hollenbeck served as a San Clemente police officer for five years.
After that city’s police services were absorbed three years ago by the Sheriff’s Department, he became a county deputy.
The deputy had been receiving workers’ compensation since April 1994 following his claim of suffering a debilitating back injury, Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert C. Gannon Jr. said.
If found guilty, Hollenbeck could face up to five years in prison, fines, or both.
The fines could be up to $50,000 or twice the amount of unlawfully obtained benefits, whichever is greater.
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