REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
April 9, 2024
FROM
JASON ANDERSON, District Attorney
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application for the 2024-25 San Bernardino County Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Prosecution Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve grant application to the California Insurance Commissioner for the San Bernardino County Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Prosecution Program, in the amount of $3,477,985 for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
2. Adopt Resolution, as required by the California Insurance Commissioner, authorizing the Chief Deputy District Attorney to execute and electronically submit the grant application referenced in Recommendation No. 1 and all related documents, including any subsequent non-substantive amendments, upon review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Chief Deputy District Attorney to transmit the grant application referenced in Recommendation No. 1, and any non-substantive amendments, to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Michael Fermin, Chief Assistant District Attorney, 382-3662)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The costs of the County’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Prosecution Program (Program) are fully funded by the grant and matching funds are not required. The $3,477,985 requested for 2024-25 will be used to fund existing staffing and other Program related costs. Program revenue and appropriation will be included in the District Attorney’s Office (Department) 2024-25 recommended budget (450-2672).
If awarded, this grant will fund the salaries and benefits of three Deputy District Attorneys, six District Attorney Senior Investigators, one Secretary I, one Paralegal, 85% of one Supervising District Attorney Investigator, and all operating costs necessary to operate this program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Section 1872.83 of the California Insurance Code authorizes the State Insurance Commissioner (State) to distribute funds assessed against insurers to agencies statewide for the investigation and prosecution of workers’ compensation insurance fraud cases. Since 1994, the Department has been receiving grant funds for this purpose on an annual basis. In addition to keeping the public safe, the Department investigates and prosecutes these cases because fraudulent workers’ compensation claims are crimes that inflate premiums for all consumers.
The State sent notice to all participating agencies statewide that the due date to submit a grant application for the 2024-25 Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Prosecution Program is April 24, 2024. Due to the requirements to include statistical information through mid-April, the Department anticipates the final grant application will not be completed until close to the due date. After the statistical information is completed, the Department will electronically submit it with the grant application to the State. A copy of this grant application with the statistical information will be filed with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. Board of Supervisors approval of this item, including a Resolution authorizing the Chief Deputy District Attorney to electronically execute and submit the grant application, is required by the California Insurance Commissioner.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Richard Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 19, 2024; Finance (Kathleen Gonzalez, Finance Analyst, 387-5412) on March 22, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Office, 387-5423) on March 25, 2024.