Latest news with #OrangeCountyDistrictAttorney'sOffice
Miami Herald
11-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Cop faking disability for $600K visited Disneyland, ran races, CA lawsuit says
A California city is suing a former police officer accused of collecting more than $600,000 in disability while pretending she could not work, watch TV or look at a computer screen. Nicole Brown, of Riverside, claimed she was unable to resume working as a Westminster police officer but visited Disneyland, ran two 5K races, went skiing and golfing — among other recreational activities — as she received worker's compensation benefits, according to a lawsuit brought by Westminster officials on July 8. One of Brown's former co-workers, a fellow Westminster officer, had seen her at the Stagecoach Music Festival, an annual festival headlined by country artists in the Coachella Valley, and 'came forward' to report her in April 2023, a complaint filed in Orange County Superior Court says. He saw Brown 'dancing and drinking alcoholic beverages in a setting with loud music and bright lights, activities which were inconsistent with her claimed disabilities,' the filing reads. Brown, 39, and her stepfather, Peter Gregory Schuman, 57, a licensed California attorney, were criminally charged in connection with the theft, the Orange County District Attorney's Office announced in May, McClatchy News previously reported. The district attorney's office said Schuman, of Buena Park, conspired 'with his stepdaughter to orchestrate the fraudulent workers' compensation scheme.' Brown was previously represented by attorney Brian Gurwitz, who denied the allegations against her in a statement to McClatchy News in May. She is now represented by attorney Thomas W. Kielty, who told McClatchy News on July 11 that she 'is innocent of the charges brought against her and unequivocally denies any involvement in a scheme to defraud the City of Westminster.' Schuman did not return a message left by McClatchy News seeking comment. His law license is still active as of July 11, according to his State Bar of California profile, which has a notice about his pending criminal case. Westminster is suing Brown and Schuman on claims of fraud, conspiracy, false claims and restitution. The city wants to collect the more than $600,000 in benefits Brown is accused of stealing, officials said in a July 9 news release. A head injury while on-duty Brown began working as a Westminster police officer in June 2018 as a 'Homeless Liaison Officer,' the lawsuit says. She was injured on the job while trying to arrest a suspect in March 2022, according to prosecutors, who said she 'suffered a minor abrasion to her forehead.' After she was diagnosed with the injury at a hospital, she reported to her watch commander that she was experiencing a headache and dizziness, according to the complaint. An emergency room doctor 'released her back to work without restrictions,' the filings says, but 'she called out sick for several days thereafter.' Brown maintained she had a concussion and was granted work leave, according to the complaint. She was put on 'total temporary disability due to her claims of, including but not limited to, not being able to be in bright sunlight, not being able to tolerate loud noises and not being able to look at electronic (device) screens,' the complaint states. Three days after she first called out sick, the lawsuit accuses Brown of attending multiple soccer conferences in San Diego. Later that year, she was seen looking at her phone screen and was spotted at a 'well-lit, loud restaurant,' the complaint says. Shortly after her fellow officer caught her at Stagecoach Music Festival, Brown continued to fake her disability during a work assessment meeting, according to the complaint. She was joined by Schuman, who appeared as her legal representative and asserted Brown was unable to complete paperwork or receive messages left over the phone, the complaint says. In the meeting, Brown said she 'could not look at the screen, wore glasses for 'photophobia' and seemed unable to carry on a conversation,' the filing states. Brown was ultimately charged with nine counts of making a fraudulent statement to obtain compensation and six counts of making a fraudulent insurance benefit claim, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. She also faces a felony enhancement of 'committing an aggravated while collar crime over $100,000,' the district attorney's office said in May. Kielty said in an emailed statement that working as a police officer 'was Ms. Brown's lifelong calling, one she fulfilled with honor and integrity for over three years,' adding that she 'sustained serious, career-ending injuries in the line of duty.' 'Ms. Brown is confident that the evidence will exonerate her of any wrongdoing and restore her reputation as a valued member of this community,' Kielty also said. Schuman is charged with one count of making a fraudulent insurance benefit claim and one count of assisting, abetting, conspiring with and soliciting a person in unlawful act, according to officials. In a statement, Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen said Brown 'has betrayed the public trust.' 'Our residents count on us to protect their taxpayer dollars and ensure that employees who are actually injured receive the support they need to recover,' Nguyen added. Through the lawsuit, the city seeks an unspecified amount in damages to be awarded at trial and restitution. Westminster is about a 30-mile drive southwest from Los Angeles.
New York Post
10-07-2025
- New York Post
Ex-California cop who allegedly partied at music festival, went to Disneyland while collecting $600K for fake injury faces lawsuit
A former California cop who allegedly collected $600,000 on full disability leave while taking luxury vacations to Disneyland and music festivals must pay back the entirety of the funds she ripped off, the city alleges. The city of Westminster announced Wednesday that they are suing Nicole Brown to hold the former officer 'accountable for this [breach] of public trust' and 'recover all of the funds,' KTLA reported. 'The lawsuit seeks repayment of all disability and medical payments, benefits, and other funds unlawfully obtained by Brown; and seeks to recover costs associated with investigation and prosecution of the lawsuit,' the city said. Advertisement 3 Ex-cop Nicole Brown was caught partying at Stagecoach and going to Disneyland while claiming $600k disability. X / @WestminsterPDCA The charges come after Brown, who had been with the Westminster Police Department since 2019, suffered a minor head abrasion during an arrest in 2022 and used the injury to take a several-year-long leave — but was seen partying at the Stagecoach music festival, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Three days after the festival, Brown appeared on a Zoom meeting about her health in a darkened room and told Westminster police officials she was unable to look at the screen without discomfort. Advertisement The city said that Brown claimed she suffered 'post-concussion syndrome,' which caused her headaches, dizziness, and sensitivity to light and sound. Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen slammed the former cop for betraying the public's trust and said the city owes it to its citizens and 'honest, hard-working officers' to 'recover these funds.' 'Our residents count on us to protect their taxpayer dollars and ensure that employees who are actually injured receive the support they need to recover. Fraud will not be tolerated in Westminster,' Nguyen said. 3 A view of the atmosphere during day 1 of the Stagecoach Music Festival on April 25, 2025, in Indio, California. Getty Images for Stagecoach Advertisement In May, the Orange County District Attorney's Office claimed the alleged malingerer maintained an active lifestyle during her long work hiatus. Prosecutors claim she visited Disneyland, ran two 5K races, went on a skiing or snowboarding trip, attended soccer and baseball games, and pursued an online master's degree while collecting the hefty $600,000 through her full, tax-free salary — in addition to her medical expenses. Brown has been charged with nine counts of making a fraudulent statement to obtain compensation, six counts of making a fraudulent insurance benefit claim, and one felony enhancement of committing an aggravated white collar crime over $100,000. 3 In May, the Orange County District Attorney's Office claimed the alleged malingerer maintained an active lifestyle during her long work hiatus. GC Images Advertisement If convicted, she faces up to 22 years in prison. The 39-year-old also received help in conceiving the alleged scheme from her stepfather, Peter Gregory Schuman — an attorney who practices in workers' compensation. Schuman, 57, 'did all the talking' for Brown in meetings with Westminster PD officials and oversaw his stepdaughter's admission into an inpatient center for individuals with traumatic brain injuries, prosecutors said. Schuman is charged with two felonies linked to the alleged scheme that carry a maximum of eight years in state prison, the release stated. He could also face the loss of his license to practice law if found guilty.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
Laguna Beach fire: Suspected cause of Rancho Fire released as teen arrested
The Brief A brush fire sparked in Laguna Beach on the afternoon of Monday, July 7. Firefighters quickly stopped the forward progress of the fire. Officials said they believe fireworks were the cause. They later announced a teen was arrested in connection with the fire. LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. - Authorities announced on Tuesday that a 13-year-old boy was arrested in connection with a fire that broke out on Monday afternoon in Laguna Beach, prompting evacuations. Suspect taken into custody City officials said as the fire spread, witnesses told authorities they saw a teen in the area who may have been setting off fireworks. Two teens were detained for questioning. However, officials later determined they were witnesses. Later in the investigation, Laguna Beach officers obtained video footage that showed another teen lighting a firework before he left the scene. Detectives located the teen suspect who was taken into custody for felony reckless burning of forest land. However, since no injuries were reported and there was no immediate threat to structures, Orange County Juvenile Hall would not accept the suspect for booking. The case will be submitted to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. What we know The Rancho Fire erupted around 2:10 p.m., near Rancho Laguna Road and Morningside Drive. By 5 p.m., city officials said crews successfully stopped the forward progress of the fire after having burned four acres. While providing an update to the community, Mayor Alex Rounaghi said the fire is believed to have been started by fireworks. Fire officials said emergency crews acted quickly and made good progress controlling the flames. By Tuesday, the fire reached 4.6 acres and was 95% contained. Evacuation orders were issued for residents on Summit Drive, La Mirada Street, Baja Street, and Katella Street. The Arch Beach Heights neighborhood was also under an evacuation warning. An evacuation center was established at the Susi Q Center at 380 Third St. Around 7:30 p.m., all evacuation orders were lifted and residents were allowed to return home. SUGGESTED:6 months later: Eaton Fire victims continue to face challenges The Source Information for this story came from the City of Laguna Beach.
Miami Herald
08-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Trainer beat ‘beautiful' racehorse in NY, then it died, feds say. He's sentenced
A harness racing trainer from Canada was convicted on criminal mischief charges in connection with beating a racehorse that then died in 2023, New York prosecutors said. Frederick Bourgault, the 27-year-old trainer, 'was convicted of all charges against him' stemming from the beating death of a racehorse named Finish Line in July 2023, the Orange County District Attorney's Office said in an April 7 news release. Bourgault was sentenced to two to six years in prison and was also ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution, the district attorney said in a July 7 post on Facebook. Bourgault now must register with an animal abuse registry managed by the Orange County Sheriff, prosecutors said at his July 7 sentencing hearing. 'The Orange County Legislature's legislative findings when it passed Rocky's Law stated, 'The Legislature … finds and determines that individuals who abuse animals are statistically more likely to commit violent acts against humans and, in particular, the Legislature also determines that a strong correlation has been established linking individuals who abuse animals with incidents of domestic violence,' and, I cannot agree more with that assessment,' District Attorney David M. Hoovler said in the post. Bourgault pleaded guilty to attempted assault charges 'for having attempted to cause physical injury to a woman using her cellphone' in a different case on June 25, prosecutors said. He's scheduled to be sentenced in that case on Oct. 2. The indictment in the horse death case said Bourgault was charged with criminal mischief in the second degree 'for having 'damaged'' Finish Line at the Pine Bush Training Facility in the town of Crawford. The horse had an estimated value of at least $5,000, officials said. Bourgault was accused of striking the horse with a heavy object and causing a linear depressed skull fracture — 'which resulted in the horse having to be euthanized,' prosecutors said. The indictment said Bourgault was also charged with interference with or injury to certain domestic animals, 'a felony under the New York State Agriculture and Markets Act, for willfully or unjustifiably injuring or destroying a racehorse.' The New York State Police, Orange County District Attorney's Office and New York State Gaming Commission partnered on the investigation, which involved having the horse's remains exhumed, officials said. Experts at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine examined the remains, and the gaming commission provided expert witnesses and coordinated with the New York State police to arrest Bourgault. 'The beautiful horse that was the victim of this defendant's senseless act of violence deserved the justice that was delivered on his behalf,' District Attorney David M. Hoovler said in the release. 'We will not, as a civilized society, allow abusers to bring harm to helpless animals.'
Miami Herald
24-06-2025
- Miami Herald
11 dogs who died in trainer's care were taken to be cremated, CA officials say
A dog trainer and his girlfriend accused in the deaths of nearly a dozen dogs left in their care posed as the pets' owners to have the animals cremated to 'avoid suspicion,' California prosecutors say. Kwong (Tony) Chun Sit, 53, of Irvine, and his girlfriend, Tingfeng Liu, 23 of Vista, were each charged with multiple counts in connection to the death of 11 dogs, the Orange County District Attorney's Office said in a June 23 news release. In a June 24 email to McClatchy News, Sit's court-appointed attorney, Kate Corrigan, did not comment on his charges, saying she was in the discovery process and exploring her client's defense. McClatchy News was unable to immediately reach an attorney representing Liu on June 24. 'Our dogs love us unconditionally, and to have someone who advertised himself as a dog lover who would treat his clients' dogs as his own be not only responsible for the deaths of these pets but then to enlist his girlfriend to cover up the animal abuse is beyond repulsive,' Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in the release. 'No animal deserves to be killed and then tossed aside like a piece of garbage.' A dog owner called Irvine police Wednesday, June 18, after getting 'a message from their dog trainer saying their dog had died in its sleep and had been cremated,' prosecutors said. Police said their Animal Services Unit and patrol officers began investigating the couple, according to a June 20 news release. Officers collected the bodies of multiple dogs from 'different crematoriums that (the animals) had been dropped off by either Sit or Liu,' prosecutors said. Those owners, too, had been told over text message that their dogs died and were cremated, according to prosecutors. One dog was dropped off for cremation on June 13, while the rest of the dogs were left at crematoriums on June 18, according to prosecutors. Two dogs were cremated before necropsies could be done, prosecutors said. Necropsies showed two dogs died from heat stroke, while a third died from blunt force trauma, prosecutors said. Six additional necropsies are pending, according to prosecutors. 'We don't know how they died, when they died, his motive — we have zero answers,' one of the dog's owners, Aimee Gutierrez, told the Orange County Register. 'I feel lost. Because no matter what, I will never know exactly what happened and why.' Gutierrez told the newspaper that Sit's news of her dog's death left her in 'complete shock.' 'I thought it was a joke, that he was kidding, that he had the wrong dog,' Gutierrez reportedly said. In an Instagram post, Gutierrez said her family adopted the '9-month-old Belgian Malinois from the pound' three weeks earlier. 'We named her Saint, and she lived up to that name every day we knew her,' she wrote. 'She was sweet, smart, and gentle with our two daughters—she brought a light into our lives we didn't know we needed.' Gutierrez went on to say her dog 'deserved better.' 'She was supposed to come home to a life of love, safety, and second chances,' she said. 'I will never stop fighting for her—and for the other animals whose voices were taken away too soon. Following an investigation, Sit and Liu were arrested Thursday, June 19, police said. Sit, the owner of Happy K9 Academy, was 'charged with 11 felony counts of animal cruelty, 11 felony counts of animal abuse by a caretaker, seven misdemeanor counts of attempting to destroy evidence and one misdemeanor count of destroying evidence,' prosecutors said. Liu is facing 'one felony count of accessory to a felony, one misdemeanor count of destruction of evidence and two misdemeanor counts of attempted destruction of evidence,' according to prosecutors. At the time of their arrest, the couple was 'packed and ready to flee,' according to prosecutors. As such, the couple is each being held on $550,000 bail, as opposed to the initial $20,000 bail schedule, prosecutors said. If convicted as charged, Sit faces a maximum 13 years and 11 month prison sentence, while Liu faces four years, prosecutors said. Sit worked with pet owners throughout Southern California, according to police. Anyone with information is asked to email police at rsteen@
