Md. Woman Convicted of Disability Fraud, Faces Up to 5 Years in Jail

October 12, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticle1 Comments

Prosecutors say a woman who collected federal disability benefits while operating a fitness center has been convicted of making false statements to obtain those benefits.

A jury convicted 48-year-old Darlene Altvater of Mechanicsville, Maryland, on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. She faces up to five years in prison at sentencing Jan. 7.

According to evidence presented at trial, Altvater, who worked for the Postal Service, sustained on-the-job head and neck injuries. She began collecting federal workers’ compensation benefits in 2001.

Prosecutors say from January 2005 through December 2011, Altvater operated a salon, day spa and fitness center. Witnesses testified that Altvater demonstrated the use of fitness equipment. She was still receiving disability benefits.

 

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetCategories: East NewsTopics: Fraud, Maryland, workers' comopensationHave a hot lead? Email us at newsdesk

View the Original article

Mentally Ill Woman Shot By Los Angeles PD Awarded $3.2M

October 4, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticle1 Comments

A federal jury has awarded $3.2 million to a mentally ill woman who sued after Los Angeles police shot her and shocked her with a Taser.

The Los Angeles Times reported jurors found that officers were negligent, malicious and used excessive force in their confrontation with Valerie Allen.

Her attorneys say Allen is bipolar and was in a manic episode when she grabbed a wooden stake and knocked down an officer who confronted the incoherent woman in September of 2009.

Other officers shot her three times and shocked her with a stun gun.

Allen was charged with assault with a deadly weapon but the charge was dropped.

Police Chief Charlie Beck says he stands by the officers and a department review concluded they acted reasonably.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetCategories: West NewsTopics: jury award, negligenceHave a hot lead? Email us at newsdesk

View the Original article

N.J. Woman Hit With Ball Sues Little League Player

June 26, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticle19 Comments

A New Jersey woman who was struck in the face with a baseball at a Little League game is suing the young catcher who threw it.

Elizabeth Lloyd is seeking more than $150,000 in damages to cover medical costs stemming from the incident at a Manchester Little League game two years ago. She’s also seeking an undefined amount for pain and suffering.

Lloyd was sitting at a picnic table near a fenced-in bullpen when she was hit with the ball.

Catcher Matthew Migliaccio was 11 years old at the time and was warming up a pitcher.

The lawsuit filed April 24 alleges Migliaccio’s errant throw was intentional and reckless, “assaulted and battered” Lloyd and caused “severe, painful and permanent” injuries.

View the Original article