Roof Falls in on Alleged Fraud Attempt

The CDI announced the arrest of David Barthell Sr. of Richmond for workers’ compensation premium fraud. Barthell, owner of Barthell Construction and Roofing, was arrested at his residence/office and booked into Richmond County Jail. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

According to investigators, the State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF) received an anonymous complaint alleging Barthell had lied to homeowners regarding the workers’ comp coverage for his employees. The complaint also stated that Barthell told the Contractors’ State License Board he had no employees, while, in fact, he employed seven to 10 illegal aliens, who were paid in cash.

A subsequent investigation revealed that David and Vickie Barthell, doing business as Barthell Construction and Roofing, did employ a number of people to perform roofing from 1995 to 2000. The Barthells avoided paying the correct workers’ comp premiums, and SCIF calculated the Barthell’s should have paid approximately $230,000 more in premium for the coverage of employees.

Search warrants were obtained for eight locations, which included three residences and five businesses.