Defendant Ordered to Pay Restitution for Felony Workers’ Comp Fraud

DATE: December 15, 2025

CASE: Gustavo Cisneros (Case #19FE017379 )

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney John MacKenzie, Insurance Fraud Unit

In 2024, Gustavo Cisneros was convicted of felony workers' compensation insurance fraud, with an amount of restitution to still be determined. Based on evidence gathered during the investigation, as well as business records from the insurance carrier, it was determined the amount of loss was $132,023.59. At a restitution hearing on December 10, 2025, the Honorable Kenneth Brody ordered Cisneros to pay the full amount of the restitution.

An investigation by the District Attorney's Office found that Cisneros exaggerated both his work-related injuries and his limitations. Several doctors reported that Cisneros was not putting forth a full effort during examinations, that he was malingering and that his claimed injuries were inconsistent with medical examinations, imaging studies and tests. It was also discovered that Cisneros had at least six previous workers' compensation claims, despite him reporting he had none. In these previous claims, Cisneros used different social security numbers and dates of birth to make his actions more difficult to detect.

Workers' compensation fraud of this type not only has an immediate financial impact for the employer, but it also causes increases in premiums which impact employers over the long-term. Additionally, fraudulent claims clog up the system, delaying medical care and financial assistance that legitimately injured workers deserve.