Posted on 08/10/2025 11:14:35 AM PDT by Angelino97
A Los Angeles County Fire Department captain has been charged with submitting a fraudulent long-term disability insurance claim for an injury prosecutors say could not have happened because he was not on duty at the time, the county district attorney’s office announced Friday.
Thomas Merryman, 44, allegedly defrauded Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company of more than $25,000 by submitting forged documents, including a falsified physician’s note and altered paperwork from another fire captain.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Merryman faces one felony count each of insurance fraud and false personation, as well as two felony counts of forgery.
The complaint was filed for a warrant on Aug. 8, and his arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 9 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles. Authorities say Merryman currently resides in Georgetown, Texas.
“Fake disability claims will not be tolerated under my watch, especially by first responders charged with keeping our county safe,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement. “False healthcare claims drive up insurance premiums and make it harder for those with legitimate injuries to access benefits. Our message to public servants who abuse the system is clear: We are watching you.”
If convicted, Merryman faces up to five years in state prison.
(Excerpt) Read more at ktla.com ...
Doesn’t this position pay like $300 grand? Seems odd to risk it for such a measly amount...
HMMMMMMMM—WHO TAUGHT HIM THAT??? BASS??
Los Angeles = West Chicago
One article claimed pay of $291,000 in 2024.
Wow. That was what I was thinking. With overtime and whatnot, probably close to 400,000.
Making Captain can actually be an economic “haircut.” Changes how many hats you can wear. Definitely won’t be out doing Fire Inspections as a Captain, so scratch that income source. Tough to be out conducting HazMat training as Captain, so scratch that income source. Because of the rotating shift schedule, guys in the Department get a lotta days when they’re not reporting to the firehouse, but can perform other Department functions. That’s where you find guys on the line knocking down $375K and such.
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