Wednesday, November 04, 2015

OC Probation Counselor Maluelue Tafua charged with fraud



Posted by CotoBlogzz


Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - Maluelue Tafua, an Orange County Probation Department (OCPD) counselor has been charged and is expected to be arraigned today for defrauding over $30,000 from the County of Orange by making fraudulent statements relating to his worker's compensation claim. 

According to the Orange County District Attorney's Office, (OCDA) Tafua,  40, Orange, is charged with two felony counts of insurance fraud and two felony counts of making fraudulent statements. 


At the time of the crime, Tafua worked as a deputy probation counselor for OCPD.

On Jan. 8, 2015, Tafua is accused of claiming that he injured his right shoulder and elbow restraining someone while on-duty. OCPD attempted to accommodate his injury by assigning him to perform administrative tasks which included answering phones. Tafua is accused of going to his doctor and claiming to be unable to use his right hand. OCPD could not accommodate that restriction and placed Tafua on temporary total disability.


On June 3, 2014, Tafua is accused of bench pressing 315 pounds in a gym. During a progress check with his doctor the following day, Tafua is accused of claiming that his pain had not improved and that he had been complying with his treatment. He is accused of failing to report that he exercised using weights at the gym.

On July 14, 2014, the County conducted the Arising Out of Employment/Course of Employment investigation related to the defendant's work injury. Tafua is accused of denying that he went to the gym to lift weights.


Deputy District Attorney Pam Leitao of the Insurance Fraud Unit is prosecuting this case.

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