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Orgo-Life the new way to the future Advertising by AdpathwayA Los Angeles County Fire Department captain has been charged with insurance fraud after prosecutors alleged he faked a work-related injury and submitted forged paperwork to obtain more than $25,000 in long-term disability payments. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced the charges on August 8, 2025.
The captain, identified as Thomas Merryman, 45, faces one felony count of insurance fraud, one felony count of false personation, and two felony counts of forgery. Arraignment is set for September 9, 2025 in Department 30 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Here is a link to the D.A.’s press release.
According to the D.A.’s press release, Merryman allegedly submitted forged documents in the name of another L.A. County fire captain and a physician to Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company. Prosecutors say the claim could not have arisen from work because Merryman was not on duty when the injury purportedly occurred. If convicted as charged, he faces up to five years in state prison.
KCAL News, CBS Los Angeles has news video coverage, but it would not embed. Here is the link to more.
Curt Varone
Curt Varone has over 50 years of fire service experience and 40 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. Besides his law degree, he has a MS in Forensic Psychology. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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