Agenda

Return

C. 35

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Mark Peterson, District Attorney
Date:	April 18, 2017

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

2017/18 Workers' Compensation Insurance Fraud Prosecution Program Grant Application

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 04/18/2017

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Cherie Mathisen

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: April 18, 2017
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Resolution No. 2017/129 approving and authorizing the District Attorney, or designee, to submit an application and execute a grant award agreement and any extensions or amendments thereof, pursuant to State guidelines, with the California Department of Insurance for the 2017/18 Workers' Compensation Insurance Fraud Prosecution Program grant in an amount not to exceed $1,675,000 for the investigation and prosecution of workers' compensation fraud cases for the period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

FISCAL IMPACT:

If approved, the District Attorney's office will receive $1,675,000 of 100% State revenue. No County match.

BACKGROUND:

The State Legislature has determined that one of the significant factors driving up the cost of workers' compensation insurance is fraud. While fraud is recognized as a growing problem across the country, California is an area of concerted criminal activity in insurance fraud. The cost of insurance is a factor in the high cost of doing business in the State. SB 1218 (Presley) was enacted to provide resources for enforcement of current laws. If the grant is approved, the District Attorney will continue to place staff in the criminal fraud division, who will be able to concentrate on the growing problem of workers' compensation fraud.

Failure to approve the recommendation will result in the inability of the District Attorney to apply for State funds designated for use by Contra Costa County in the prosecution of workers' compensation insurance fraud. A County which fails to which fails to submit the application shall not be considered for funding, and their undistributed funds shall be returned to the Department of Insurance to be reprogrammed.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The District Attorney will be unable to apply for the grant.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

No impact.