[tommytrauma]

In another thread, some concerns were raised concerning Mr. Saurez's background. The nature and tone of those posts convinced me that I should share what I know about the issue.

A little over a year ago, I started looking into the possibility of training with Mr. Saurez. I'd bought a couple of his books, and found his techniques and style to be very worthwhile. As soon as I started asking around about him, I began hearing allegations that he had been convicted of fraud in regards to a workers compensation case.

In one of my two jobs, I investigate and adjudicate disability cases, both at the state and federal level. I deal with fraud and attempts at fraud regarding disability and vocational issues on a daily basis. This has left me with a 'sore spot' on the subject, and it offers me avenues of inquiry not generally available to others. I looked into Mr. Saurez's circumstances very closely. I was actually planning on "exposing" this man on both TFL and arfcom. Much to my surprise and relief, I failed to find any real wrongdoing on Mr. Saurez's part. I'll leave the details to him to disclose as he sees fit, but I will say there is a hell of a difference between the physical demands of working the street as a cop and the physical demands of lecturing to a small group of students for a short time.

Not to put too fine a point on this, but I hate people who fraudently attempt to collect disability benefits of any type. They are the bane of my professional life, and they piss me off to no end. There is no way that I would ever stand up for someone who had done so. Mr. Saurez became caught up in a bureaucratic quagmire regarding workers comp, residual functional capacity and income reporting. He sure as hell never purposely misrepresented himself. I harbor absolutely no concerns regarding Mr. Saurez's comportment in this matter, and have no concerns regarding his integrety. I also respect him as an instructor, and look forward to attending his classes in the future.

TT.

[Skunkabilly]

:D
http://www.olegvolk.net/olegv/newsite/betty2/tactical-advantage_s.jpg

[Mr Grinch]

I like you with long hair, Skunk! ;)

Grinch

[Daedalus]

Backstory, please.

[blades67]

As he said, the details are for Mr. Suarez to reveal if he so chooses.

[denfoote]

GAWD SKUNK, IF THAT IS REALLY YOU, I'M ALMOST SORRY I'M MARRIED!!!!

Almost, but not quite!! My wife is a total babe!!!!

[Mike Irwin]

I don't think that Skunk, I think that's Runt of the Litter...

And how can you find her attractive when she has big old brass ones like this? :D

http://www.olegvolk.net/newphotos/tn/betty_big_brass.jpg

[Atticus]

How'd that old child's taunt go... "your grandma wears army boots". Grandma never looked that cute....with or without em.

[CWL]

Ya know, there IS a "Mrs. Skunk" that cruises bladeforums.com...

[Betty]

:scrutiny: <--- 4 am half-awake insomnia, and I discover this thread

I had a gay friend of mine look at me in my combat boots and say, "Betty, you'd make a great lesbian!"

With that said, I'll be watching this thread like a hawk.

[clown714]

:D

clown

[tommytrauma]

From Gabe's ethics to runt's sexual preferences in ten posts. I love this board.

[Skunkabilly]

Ya know, there IS a "Mrs. Skunk" that cruises bladeforums.com...

Would she happen to be a Korean cop?

[Gewehr98]

To see somebody like Gabe actually get followed onto THR for the sole purpose of being discredited, it looked more like a smear campaign. That took some big brass ones. :uhoh:

[4v50 Gary]

Betcha that Mrs. Skunk is that Korean Lady Sniper. ;)

[seeker_two]

http://www.olegvolk.net/olegv/newsite/betty2/tactical-advantage_s.jpg

Suarez would be a fool not to use this pic to advertise... :D

http://www.olegvolk.net/newphotos/tn/betty_big_brass.jpg

I'm envious... :uhoh:

[45R]

From Gabe's ethics to runt's sexual preferences in ten posts. I love this board. :what:

[tommytrauma]

It did shock me, though...
To see somebody like Gabe actually get followed onto THR for the sole purpose of being discredited, it looked more like a smear campaign. That took some big brass ones.



It would take big brass ones to say that kind of crap to Gabe’s face. Any little coward can hide behind a keyboard and do it anonymously. That kinda crap shows the exact kind of "bravery" as the beltway snipers did.

[Double Naught Spy]

Quote of Tommytrauma...

"As soon as I started asking around about him, I began hearing allegations that he had been convicted of fraud in regards to a workers compensation case.

I looked into Mr. Saurez's circumstances very closely. I was actually planning on "exposing" this man on both TFL and arfcom. Much to my surprise and relief, I failed to find any real wrongdoing on Mr. Saurez's part. I'll leave the details to him to disclose as he sees fit, but I will say there is a hell of a difference between the physical demands of working the street as a cop and the physical demands of lecturing to a small group of students for a short time.

...He sure as hell never purposely misrepresented himself."

-----------

Let's see, Saurez's fraud conviction is a fact and not an allegation. And it goes beyond that with money laundering. His wife was also in on the deal and Saurez knew that what he was doing was wrong as he tried to hide his money trail by not having payments made to him. That was no accident.

Furthermore, while you feel that the conviction was wrong because of there being differences in the physical demans of working the street versus lecturing a small group of students for a short time, that isn't how the law works. You don't have the option of earning money with the free time being afforded you by worker's compensation for an injury that precludes you from being able to do the job that the compensation is covering for you.

Saurez did not meet the restrictions of his workers' compensation benefits by seeking alternative employment. Accepting the benefits means accepting the restrictions. Void the restrictions and your benefits can be voided.

I fail to see how you came to the conclusion that he sure as hell never purprosely misrepresented himself. He misrepresented himself by continuing to accept workers' comp monies for a person who isn't supposed to be working, worked paying jobs, and the additional income was laundered via his wife an an attempt to hide the money trail.

That sounds perfectly honest to me. :fire:

-----
Former Officer Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges

By Teresa Rochester

Sept. 27, 2001 -- A former Santa Monica police officer has pleaded guilty to Workers Compensation fraud, money laundering and grand theft and will begin serving a year-long jail sentence for the crimes next week.

Gabriel Saurez, a decorated 12-year veteran of the SMPD, will report to Los Angeles County Jail to begin serving his sentence on Monday as part of a plea agreement reached last week in Los Angeles County Criminal Court. Saurez, who recently resigned from the force, also was sentenced to five years probation.

Saurez, his wife Cheryl Saurez and Officer Jason Comer pleaded not guilty in April to charges of conspiracy, Workers Compensation fraud and grand theft. Saurez also faced two additional fraud charges.

Like her husband, Cheryl Saurez agreed to plea guilty during last Friday's hearing. She was ordered to serve one day in jail and also was sentenced to five years probation.

Comer's charges were dropped in June, and he remains on paid leave pending the conclusion of an administrative investigation, according to Police Chief James T. Butts Jr.

As part of the agreement, the charges of conspiracy against the Suarezes were dismissed, as were the two additional counts of Workers Compensation filed against Gabriel Saurez, said DA spokesperson Sandi Gibbons.

The Saurezes paid a $100 fine and $112, 250.01 in restitution on Friday, according to Deputy Dist. Atty. Ellen St. John.

Chief Butts said Saurez's plea was a testament to the "hard work, time and effort that the risk management and our criminal division officers have put into this case.

"The good thing is the City of Santa Monica has received full restitution for all wages that were paid in this fraudulent claim," Butts said. "The jail sentence that was imposed by the judge sent a strong message that this type of misconduct will not be tolerated by the City of Santa Monica,"

Gabriel Suarez allegedly worked as a gun tactics trainer while receiving Workers Compensation for a slip and fall accident in the SMPD's locker room in 1999. Cheryl Suarez allegedly received payments for work done by her husband through a company she never worked for. The dismissed charges against Comer were based on allegations that he received and disbursed money for Saurez.

The Saurez case stemmed from a long-term investigation of Workers Compensation fraud within the police department launched late last year by the department, the District Attorneys Office and the State Department of Insurance.

The investigation also has resulted in charges filed against Officer Richard Robert Brulato, who pleaded not guilty in June to two counts of Workers Compensation Fraud.

Butts said the investigation is "definitely ongoing.

"We have other cases we are actively looking at and investigating. Fortunately at this point those cases are few," said Butts adding that they would be vigorously pursued.


Copyright ©1999, 2000, 2001 surfsantamonica.com. All Rights Reserved.
Link to article: http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_...aud_Charges.htm

Contrary to tommytrauma's, Rochester's and my notation above, Suarez's name is correctly spelled with as "Suarez" and not "Saurez." Searching on key terms with the correct spelling, especially with engines like Google will yield additional information on the topic

[EJ]

Whoa -- what IS the story:uhoh:

[0007]

Sheee - I'd like to see the press that runt uses to re-load that case. And the rifle that she uses it in. :D