A federal court in Southern California says there was no vindictive prosecution in the government’s attempt to recoup restitution from Sam Solakyan for running a workers’ comp kickback scheme, but it reduced the amount the government can recover to just over $4.4 million. Previously, the court awarded nearly $28 million in restitution. Solakyan ran Vital …
Orange County Superior Court judge Israel Claustro agreed to plead guilty to federal charges that he defrauded the California workers’ comp system, in particular the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund, …
Welcome to 2026. Workers’ Comp Executive is starting its 36th year of covering California’s workers’ comp industry. Here is our annual look back at the biggest stories from the prior twelve months. In many instances, the top stories of 2025 brought closure to issues that had populated this annual review for several years, while other …
Californians who get their homeowner’s insurance coverage through the FAIR Plan will not have incidental workers’ comp coverage or premises liability coverage under a decision handed down by the Second District Court of Appeal. The decision overturns a lower court ruling that upheld a 2021 order by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara requiring the California FAIR …
Chief District Judge Cynthia Bashant in the United States District Court for the Southern District is set to determine how much restitution Sam Solakyan will be ordered to pay for his conviction in a workers’ comp bribery scheme, after the United States Supreme Court refused to hear his appeal. Judge Bashant will decide the restitution …
Federal officials filed an eight-count federal indictment naming seven staffing industry executives as defendants. The case alleges a scheme to pocket payroll taxes from client employers and workers, and to cheat workers’ comp carriers out of premium. Proceeds from the $90 million scheme allegedly went toward buying real estate, luxury cars, expensive vacations, and other …
California employers will pay nearly 5.2% on top of workers’ compensation premium in 2026 to fund the state’s workers’ comp system, Cal/OSHA, labor law enforcement, and anti-fraud programs. Currently, insured …
The California State Bar states that a convicted attorney did more than just provide bookkeeping services to a workers’ compensation fraud scheme; it also alleges that he provided legal services that furthered the fraud. The Bar maintains that these actions warrant much more than the public warning originally issued and is again asking a State …