[BillD]

Originally Posted by esrice

Link?

I got this after an internet search.

As I mentioned in another thread, are you aware that Gabe is a former Santa Monica leo who was convicted of worker's comp fraud and theft. With all of the other excellent instructors out there, he isn't one I'd generally listen to.

He was actually charged with felonies, but accepted a plea bargain, as did his wife, and was convicted of [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]misdemeanors[/color][/color]

. He did some time in L.A. County Jail around the time I was a Sgt. I don't know which facility he was in tho. He also had to pay $112K in restitution.

Here is a link to the article written in Santa Monica about his case. Also, if you google: Gabe Suarez' conviction for grand theft and worker's compensation fraud," you will get a number of interesting reads.

Former Officer Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges

By Teresa Rochester

Sept. 27 -- A former Santa Monica police officer has pleaded guilty to Workers Compensation fraud, money laundering and grand theft and will begin serving a year-long jail sentence for the crimes next week.

Gabriel Saurez, a decorated 12-year veteran of the SMPD, will report to Los Angeles County Jail to begin serving his sentence on Monday as part of a plea agreement reached last week in Los Angeles County Criminal Court. Saurez, who recently resigned from the force, also was sentenced to five years probation.

Saurez, his wife Cheryl Saurez and Officer Jason Comer pleaded not guilty in April to charges of conspiracy, Workers Compensation fraud and grand theft. Saurez also faced two additional fraud charges.

Like her husband, Cheryl Saurez agreed to plea guilty during last Friday's hearing. She was ordered to serve one [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]day [COLOR=blue! important]in [/color][COLOR=blue! important]jail[/color][/color][/color] and also was sentenced to five years probation.

Comer's charges were dropped in June, and he remains on paid leave pending the conclusion of an administrative investigation, according to Police Chief James T. Butts Jr.

As part of the agreement, the charges of conspiracy against the Suarezes were dismissed, as were the two additional counts of Workers Compensation filed against Gabriel Saurez, said DA spokesperson Sandi Gibbons.

The Saurezes paid a $100 fine and $112, 250.01 in restitution on Friday, according to Deputy Dist. Atty. Ellen St. John.

Chief Butts said Saurez's plea was a testament to the "hard work, time and effort that the risk management and our criminal division officers have put into this case.

"The good thing is the City of Santa Monica has received full restitution for all wages that were paid in this fraudulent claim," Butts said. "The jail sentence that was imposed by the judge sent a strong message that this type of misconduct will not be tolerated by the City of Santa Monica,"

Gabriel Suarez allegedly worked as a gun tactics trainer while receiving Workers Compensation for a slip and fall accident in the SMPD's locker room in 1999. Cheryl Suarez allegedly received payments for work done by her husband through a company she never worked for. The dismissed charges against Comer were based on allegations that he received and disbursed money for Saurez.

The Saurez case stemmed from a long-term investigation of Workers Compensation fraud within the police department launched late last year by the department, the District [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Attorneys[/color][/color] Office and the State Department of Insurance.

The investigation also has resulted in charges filed against Officer Richard Robert Brulato, who pleaded not guilty in June to two counts of Workers Compensation Fraud.

Butts said the investigation is "definitely ongoing.

"We have other cases we are actively looking at and investigating. Fortunately at this point those cases are few," said Butts adding that they would be vigorously pursued.


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Link to article: http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_s...ud_Charges.htm