Female cop who claimed $600k while saying she was too sick to work caught in disgraceful lie
A former California police officer was caught dancing and drinking at a music festival while claiming $600,000 in disability, according to officials.
Nicole Brown, 39, of Riverside, is facing a total of 15 felony counts for allegedly stealing the large sum in workers' compensation payments.
Brown, formerly with the Westminster Police Department, claimed to be completely disabled due to a cut to her forehead she suffered while handcuffing a suspect.
Prosecutors in Orange County say an emergency room doctor released her to work that same day without any restrictions.
After calling out sick for days after the incident in 2022, she was diagnosed with severe concussion syndrome and signed off work, as well as being on total disability.
Authorities say she never returned to work for over a year, and that she fraudulently collected over $600,000 from the city while on leave.
This included her full salary, which was tax-free, and all of her medical expenses, according to prosecutors.
As she collected the disability payments, authorities allege that she was seen dancing and drinking at the Stagecoach Music Festival.
Nicole Brown, 39, of Riverside, is facing a total of 15 felony counts for allegedly stealing the large sum in workers' compensation payments
Authorities allege that she was seen dancing and drinking at the Stagecoach Music Festival, festivalgoers at the event are seen here in 2025
Her attendance was reported to Westminster Police Department, who then referred the case to the district attorney's office.
Prosecutors say that there investigation uncovered she had ran in two 5K races and went snowboarding or skiing in Big Bear and Mammoth.
She is also said to have attended three soccer conferences, attended baseball games, played golf, and gone to Disneyland.
While claiming disability, Brown complained of headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and noise, and an inability to work a computer or phone.
Three days after she was allegedly spotted at Stagecoach, Brown had a Zoom call to discuss what duties she could actually perform as a cop.
Prosecutors say during this call that Brown claimed she couldn't look at the screen and was sitting in a dark room.
Her stepfather Peter Gregory Schuman, a Buena Park-based lawyer who works in workers' compensation, spoke on her behalf.
Schuman allegedly did all of the talking for her, saying she couldn't do paperwork, and was unsure if she could use her cell phone to make calls.
She is also said to have gone to Disneyland. The theme park in Anaheim, California, is seen here
Outside of music festivals and theme parks, she is also said to have been seen playing golf
Authorities say she also went skiing or snowboarding at Big Bear in California, which is seen here
Following the meeting Brown, alongside Schuman, was allegedly admitted to an in-patient center for individuals who have a traumatic brain injury.
For his part, Schuman is being charged with a count of making a fraudulent insurance claim and another assisting Brown.
If he is convicted he faces eight years in a state prison and as attorney may suffer further disciplinary action from the State Bar of California.
Brown is facing a maximum sentence of 22 years in a state prison if she is convicted on all counts.
Her attorney Brian Gurwitz told The LA Times: 'Ms. Brown is not guilty of this what the prosecution has alleged.
'She was seriously injured on duty and intends to fight these allegations.'
Gurwitz also said that Schuman is still in the process of finding legal representation. DailyMail.com has attempted to contact him directly.
