A married couple, Kendal Hurd, 40, and Kyle Hurd, 38, both former officers of the Tustin Police Department in California, have been charged with multiple felonies related to fraudulent workers' compensation claims. The Orange County District Attorney's Office announced that the charges include insurance fraud and perjury or attempted perjury.
The Hurds asserted they suffered chronic back pain from wearing duty belts and vests during their police duties, preventing them from working, and received over $180,000 in disability payments. However, in July 2021, both lost their jobs with the Tustin Police Department.
Video surveillance, along with photos and videos taken by the couple, allegedly revealed an active lifestyle inconsistent with their claimed injuries. The former officers were documented mountain biking, boating, flying internationally, scuba diving, and engaging in various home improvement projects while receiving workers' compensation.
Mr. Hurd filed a workers' compensation claim in December 2018, citing back pain from duty gear. In October 2019, Mrs. Hurd filed a similar claim after an international scuba trip, attributing her chronic back pain to duty gear.
City of Tustin surveillance, initiated after months of medical care without improvement, reportedly captured the couple participating in physical activities, such as sliding down water slides, lifting children, biking, paddleboarding, and attending Pilates classes. Their active lifestyle contradicted statements made to doctors and under oath during depositions.
Authorities allegedly found a text from Mr. Hurd bragging about receiving unnecessary medical treatment, describing himself as a "good actor." Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer emphasized the significant financial impact of workers' compensation fraud, amounting to over $30 billion annually.
If convicted on all counts, Mrs. Hurd faces a maximum sentence of 11 years in state prison, while Mr. Hurd faces a maximum sentence of nine years and six months.
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