Officials in San Jose announced that a former police officer has been charged with workers’ compensation fraud for allegedly faking an injury in order to receive disability payments.
Kenneth Henderson, 53, allegedly claimed to be disabled but was seen doing strenuous workouts at a gym in Las Vegas. He was arraigned on February 5 and charged with workers’ compensation fraud. The press did not name an attorney for him.
According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, Henderson claimed to be injured in October 2015 while picking up traffic cones. After the alleged injury, he retired from the force in 2016 and moved to Las Vegas. Henderson “continued to present himself as completely disabled” after his retirement and was put on permanent disability, according to Deputy District Attorney Vonda Tracey.
Henderson’s doctors reported that he appeared to be “like someone who had stroke a stroke,” Tracey said. The former cop claimed he was in constant pain and couldn’t drive. All he could do was work around the house and water plants, according to prosecutors.
The charges filed against Henderson are strikingly similar to those filed against his wife, Mandy Henderson, who is also a former lieutenant of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. Like her husband, Mandy Henderson, 41, was arrested in 2018 for allegedly making false workers’ compensation claims.
The couple met investigators in 2018 and Mandy Henderson appeared to be disabled, according to prosecutors. Soon afterwards, the couple, who are both competitive bodybuilders, were allegedly captured on a surveillance video working out vigorously.
Mandy Henderson resigned from the sheriff’s office in December 2018 after she was charged with workers’ comp fraud. She later pleaded no contest to the charges and was ordered to make repayments and given three years of probation.
The district attorney’s office launched an investigation into her husband in July 2019 after an insurance carrier claimed he was seen at a 24 Hour Fitness gym in Las Vegas performing rigorous exercises. Surveillance footage showed Kenneth Henderson using a treadmill and lifting weights, according to the district attorney’s office. After reviewing his insurance documents, medical records, and surveillance videos, prosecutors concluded that Henderson exaggerated his injury.
“These benefits are supposed to there for officers who are legitimately injured,” said Tracey. “This siphoning money away from those who have legitimate injuries, and for a lot of police departments where their city or county is self-insured, taxpayer dollars are being wasted.”
Tracey said the Hendersons’ cases stood out because of how they carried out the alleged ploy as a husband-and-wife tandem. Both cases were typical in their choice to exaggerate their alleged injuries, since getting a higher disability rating meant increased benefit payouts.
Henderson faces imprisonment if convicted. He will also be liable for about $30,000 in restitution if convicted on all charges.
South Florida Workers’ Compensation Fraud Attorney
If you’re accused of workers’ compensation fraud, then you should hire an attorney. Contact Brian Silber, P.A. for a free initial consultation with one of South Florida’s most experienced workers’ compensation fraud defense attorneys.
Source: 2.4.20 bodybuilding former cop charged with fake worker’s comp claim in south bay.pdf