News Archive

Email A Friend

More News

April 22, 2024
California Division of Workers’ Compensation Posts Updated Time of Hire Notice

April 22, 2024
Sullivan on Comp Launches ChatSOC. It's an Innovative Chatbot for California Workers' Compensation Professionals Integrated with an Authoritative Legal Treatise

April 19, 2024
Workers Compensation Bill 2024: One percent of employee’s salary to contribute to workers’ compensation fund in Kenya.

April 15, 2024
Colorado Worker Shows Head Injury Happened as a Consequence of a Knock on the Head at Work

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) _ A bus driver has been charged with fraud and grand theft for allegedly completing a marathon while receiving workers' compensation for a back injury, prosecutors said.

Johnny Chavarria, 57, a driver for the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District, allegedly finished the Big Sur Marathon while receiving thousands of dollars in workers' compensation funds.

Chavarria was arrested Friday following an investigation into the injury claim he filed in June 2003.

"You can't run marathons if you are not well enough to drive a Metro bus," said District Attorney Bob Lee. "It's not just wrong; it's criminal."

Chavarria began receiving payments after being rated at "temporary total disabled." He was paid until returning to work in July 2004, prosecutors said.

Chavarria couldn't be reached on Sunday.

Chavarria was released from Santa Cruz County Jail on Friday after posting $25,000 bail. He was scheduled to appear in court later this month.