Ex-CHP officer told to pay $183,000 for workers’ comp fraud

Feb. 25--A former California Highway Patrol officer who was seen engaging in physically strenuous outdoor activities while receiving workers' compensation has been ordered to pay more than $183,000 in restitution.

Daniel Corey Clapp pleaded no contest to misdemeanor workers' compensation insurance fraud in August 2014. He was sentenced to 60 days in county jail and three years probation, and ordered to make restitution to the CHP and State Compensation Insurance Fund.

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Steve White on Wednesday ordered Clapp to pay the CHP $151,927.01 for benefits he received and the costs incurred by the CHP to investigate the case. The judge also ordered Clapp to repay the State Compensation Insurance Fund $31,475.68 for disability benefit payments he received and investigative costs, according to a Sacramento County District Attorney's Office news release.

On Jan. 3, 2012, Clapp filed a workers' compensation claim for injuries to his shoulder, neck, knee and back arising from a struggle with a man he was attempting to arrest. Over the next two years, Clapp told his doctors he was unable to work because of the injuries, authorities said.

When fellow officers working traffic control saw Clapp drive by towing a camping trailer and ski boat, an investigation was initiated by the CHP's Internal Affairs Division, Workers' Compensation Fraud Unit.

Investigators conducted surveillance during several camping and boating trips that Clapp took with his family. He was filmed hooking up a boat trailer and fifth-wheel camping trailer, launching the boat, and being very physically active, authorities said. Throughout this time, he was telling his supervisors that he was too disabled to do even office work.

During a deposition in his workers' compensation case, Clapp was asked under oath if he had attempted to do any physical activities like camping, hunting, riding dirt bikes or boating. Clapp testified that he had not, but wished he could, and claimed he could only shuffle around the workbench in his garage.

Results of the CHP's investigation were submitted to the District Attorney's Office and prosecuted by the Insurance Fraud Unit.

Cathy Locke: 916-321-5287, @lockecathy

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