Navy Vet Sentenced to 2 Years for Workers Comp Fraud

A Navy veteran who committed fraud charges by running a business despite claiming unemployment and workers’ compensation benefits has been sentenced to two years in federal custody, court officials announced. Leray Shurn, 59, received the prison term in U.S. District Court in San Diego Monday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
While handing down the sentence, Judge Thomas Whelan also ordered Shurn to pay $357,977 in restitution — roughly equal to the amount he was accused of improperly receiving — along with a $5,000 fine. In January, a jury found Shurn guilty of 16 criminal counts in connection with acts of fraud that spanned more than five years. According to evidence presented at trial, Shurn falsely stated to the Navy and Department of Veterans Affairs that back and knee injuries prevented him from working as a naval civilian employee.