Workers’ Comp Hearing Rep. in California Caught Cashing Dead Client’s Settlement

A California workers’ compensation hearing representative was arrested for allegedly trying to steal a settlement check from his client.

Department of Insurance detectives arrested Ramon Humerto Otero, 37, of Adelanto, and Efrain Heredia Ojeda, 43, of Corona, on multiple felony counts of insurance fraud and grand theft.

The men allegedly conspired to steal an $18,946 settlement check intended for a client whose workers’ comp case Otero was presiding over and who died before the settlement with the insurer was achieved.

Otero, a hearing officer for the law offices of Ramon Otero Jr., reportedly negotiated a workers’ comp settlement agreement for his client.

During the course of the negotiation, his client died. Otero proceeded with negotiations and reported to the insurer that his client’s address changed.

Suspecting fraud, the State Compensation Insurance Fund referred the claim to the California Department of Insurance for investigation. According to detectives, they found evidence that Otero instructed the insurer to mail the settlement check to the residence of Ojeda, an interpreter and associate of Otero. Ojeda allegedly forged the deceased’s signature and deposited it into his personal bank account.

Otero was booked into the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles. Ojeda was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside. Both face a maximum five-year prison sentence if convicted on all counts. This case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.