Agenda

Return

C. 42

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Diana Becton, District Attorney
Date:	July 23, 2019

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

2019/20 Workers' Compensation Insurance Fraud Prosecution Program Grant Application

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 07/23/2019

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

ABSENT:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor

Contact:

Jason Chan, (925) 957-2234

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: July 23, 2019
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Resolution No. 2019/504 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 2019/20 Workers' Compensation Insurance Fraud Prosecution Program grant in an amount not to exceed $1,214,842 for the investigation and prosecution of workers' compensation fraud cases for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

FISCAL IMPACT:

$1,214,842. 100% State, no County match. The grant will fund salaries and benefits for Deputy District Attorneys, Senior Inspectors, a Legal Assistant, a Forensic Accountant, and small amounts of other staff time assigned to the program. Supplantation is prohibited.

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.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

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