LAPD Officers Arrested for Worker’s Compensation Fraud

Los Angeles — On Dec. 11, two veteran Los Angeles police officers have been arrested following a Los Angeles Police Department’s Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit internal investigation.

The unit initiated investigations stemming from medical claims that Officer Jonathan Hall, a 19-year LAPD veteran, and Officer Ralph Mendoza, a 13-year LAPD veteran,  filed medical claims in late 2012.

Working in partnership with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Healthcare Fraud Division, investigators established probable cause to believe that Hall knowingly provided false testimony during a deposition related to his industrial injury claim under the penalty of perjury and received benefits to which he was not entitled.

In Mendoza’s case, the investigation showed that Mendoza falsified medical documents related to his industrial injury claim and received benefits to which he was not entitled. Warrants were then obtained for both officers.

Hall, last assigned to Emergency Services Division, surrendered to authorities Dec.11, pursuant to charges of four felony counts of workers’ compensation fraud, insurance fraud, grand theft and attempted perjury. Bail was set at $80,000. Hall, 45, is assigned home pending the outcome of both the criminal and administrative investigations.

Mendoza, last assigned to Hollenbeck Patrol Division, surrendered to authorities Dec. 11 pursuant to two felony counts of workers’ compensation fraud and grand theft charges. He is held on $40,000 bail. Mendoza, 44, is relieved from duty and is pending the outcome of a Department Board of Rights.