Former California police officer Nicole Brown allegedly danced at music festivals, skied, and ran 5K races while collecting $600,000 in workers’ compensation for a supposed traumatic brain injury that left her unable to function normally.
Key Takeaways
- Nicole Brown, a former Westminster police officer, is charged with 15 felonies for allegedly defrauding workers’ compensation of over $600,000.
- Despite claiming severe disability from a minor head injury, Brown was documented engaging in numerous physical activities including running, skiing, and attending festivals.
- Her stepfather, attorney Peter Gregory Schuman, faces charges for allegedly helping orchestrate the fraud and could be disbarred.
- If convicted, Brown could face up to 22 years in prison, while Schuman could receive up to 8 years.
- The fraud was discovered when Brown was spotted “dancing and drinking” at the Stagecoach music festival despite claiming sensitivity to light and sound.
From Minor Injury to Major Fraud
In March 2022, Nicole Brown, a Westminster police officer since February 2019, reported a work-related head injury described as a “small abrasion.” Despite being initially cleared to return to work, Brown called out sick and was later diagnosed with what prosecutors termed “post-concussion syndrome.” The minor injury quickly escalated into a Total Temporary Disability claim, allowing Brown to receive her full salary for the first year, followed by two-thirds of her pay thereafter. The total compensation, including medical bills, eventually ballooned to over $600,000 in tax-free payments.
According to investigators, Brown presented herself as severely incapacitated during official meetings. During one Zoom conference, she appeared in a darkened room, claiming discomfort from looking at screens. Her stepfather, Peter Gregory Schuman, a workers’ compensation defense attorney, allegedly “did all the talking” during these meetings, misrepresenting Brown’s condition to her department and case managers. This coordinated deception allowed the pair to continue collecting substantial disability payments while Brown maintained an active lifestyle outside of official view.
Living an Active Life While “Disabled”
The fraud began unraveling when Brown was spotted at the Stagecoach country music festival, engaging in activities completely inconsistent with her claimed disabilities. “People who knew that she was on full disability witnessed her behaving in a way that was not consistent with what she was telling her department,” said Kimberly Edds from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. This observation triggered an investigation that revealed Brown had been leading a remarkably active life throughout her supposed disability period.
“For a police officer to engage in that kind of behavior, it’s absolutely disgusting,” said Kimberly Edds from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors documented Brown participating in numerous activities that directly contradicted her claimed limitations. She was observed skiing, running 5K races, attending soccer conferences, baseball games, and golf outings. She visited Disneyland and other amusement parks with bright lights and loud sounds, despite claiming sensitivity to such stimuli. Perhaps most damning, Brown was even pursuing an online master’s degree course, an activity seemingly impossible for someone allegedly unable to look at screens or concentrate due to a traumatic brain injury.
Legal Consequences and Defense
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has charged Brown with 15 felonies, including making fraudulent statements and insurance claims. If convicted, she faces up to 22 years in prison. Her stepfather, Schuman, faces charges of conspiracy and soliciting an unlawful act, with potential prison time of up to 8 years. Beyond criminal penalties, Schuman could also face disbarment for his alleged role in the scheme, ending his legal career and permanently tarnishing his professional reputation.
“Mrs. Brown suffered a significant head injury when she was on duty, and she intends to vigorously fight these allegations,” said Brian Gurwitz, Brown’s attorney.
Brown’s defense attorney, Brian Gurwitz, maintains that his client legitimately suffered a significant head injury while on duty and plans to contest the charges. However, prosecutors have compelling evidence showing Brown at the Stagecoach festival with “loud music and bright lights everywhere,” directly contradicting her claimed sensitivities. The fact that a law enforcement officer, sworn to uphold the law, would allegedly engage in such brazen fraud has particularly outraged investigators and the public alike, making this case a priority for prosecutors.
