The California Department of Insurance said it is using the Internet to reduce the level of fraud in the workers' compensation system by publicizing cases of abuse.

California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi announced that information relating to workers' comp insurance fraud convictions will be posted on a portion of his department's Web site.

Accessible through the fraud section of the department's Web site, the workers' comp fraud page lists specific information about fraud convictions, including the names of those committing fraud, the specific crime they were found guilty of, and the penalty they received.

A department spokesperson said there are plans at some point to make the link to the fraud conviction more prominent on the department's Web site.

"Exposing these criminals on my department's Web site should make everyone think twice before they try to beat the system and collect benefits they don't deserve," said Mr. Garamendi. "Public awareness is the best sunshine to help stop workers' compensation insurance fraud and its devastating impact on the state."

The creation of the fraud Web page was mandated under legislation sponsored by state Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer, D- Glendale.

"Cracking down on workers' compensation fraud is the key to lowering compensation rates," said Assemblyman Frommer. "This Web site will be a powerful tool to stop scofflaws who cheat the system up to $3 billion each year."

Under the legislation, known as AB 2866, the information regarding a workers' compensation fraud conviction is required to be posted for five years, but would be taken down if the department is notified in writing that the conviction has been reversed or expunged.

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Calif. Dept. Uses Web Weapon On Comp Fraud

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