Sacramento DA Files Felony Workers' Comp Fraud Charges Against CHP Officer

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully has filed felony workers' compensation fraud charges against a California Highway Patrol officer.

The arrest warrant affidavit alleges Officer Tony Yao filed a workers' compensation insurance claim in August 2011, and stated he had injured his back during firearms training at the Academy on May 13, 2011.

As a result, Yao was assigned to office duty; however, for the next several months he told his doctors his back injury was so severe he couldn't even do office work. When doctors recommended back surgery, the CHP began an internal investigation.

Undercover surveillance video believed to be Yao showed him allegedly engaging in physical activity he told his doctors he could not do. Investigators also allege Yao had not even used the training equipment he claimed to have been using when he was injured. Yao is also accused of not reporting a previous back injury he sustained while off the job.

Yao was arrested by CHP workers' compensation insurance fraud investigators and has been placed on administrative leave pending completion of the investigation.