AURORA | An Aurora couple has been indicted on theft charges after state investigators say they bilked Pinnacol Assurance out of $140,000 in workers’ compensation claims.
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced the 18-count indictment against Martin Lobatos, 39, and his wife, Belen Luna Lobatos, 37, Friday afternoon.
According to a statement from Suthers’ office, Martin Lobatos first collected workers compensation after a September 2008 fall off a ladder while working as a roofer. He returned to work in October 2008 but still complained of dizziness and vertigo from the fall.
Doctors said he fully recovered by April 2009 but after being fired and later accepting a $20,000 settlement from Pinnacol in September 2009, he complained of new symptoms, the statement said. He told doctors he suffered dizziness, memory loss, difficulty recognizing his own children and other physical problems.
In March 2010, Lobatos told doctors he was “fully catatonic,” the statement said, though witnesses saw him driving and shopping after acting catatonic during medical exams.
If convicted of theft, the Lobatos could each face a fine of up to $750,000 and up to 12 years in prison, the statement said.
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