John Arcurio, 49, was working at Moorpark Community College when he brought a workers' compensation claim on March 14, 2003, following an injury to his right knee. He received treatment for his injury, was granted leave from work and was given regular compensation for living expenses, according to the Ventura County district attorney's office.
On May 12, 2003, while still off work and receiving benefits, Arcurio was hired as a landscape supervisor at Mariposa Horticultural, according to the district attorney's office. He failed to inform his insurance carrier or his doctors about this new employment, according to the agency.
On June 12, 2003, Arcurio was questioned by investigators about any employment subsequent to his injury. Arcurio denied any such employment despite the fact that he was still working at Mariposa Horticultural while being paid benefits. He was interviewed a second time on May 11, 2004, and again lied, the district attorney's office says.
Arcurio received income from both his Mariposa Horticultural job and his workers' compensation checks between May and July 2003.
After pleading guilty to the two felony counts on June 22, Arcurio remains out of custody on a $10,000 bond pending his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for Aug. 24. The maximum possible sentence for these two crimes is 6 years in prison.
The prosecution of Arcurio followed an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigations Branch of the California Department of Insurance.
