A former California Highway Patrol captain was arrested Thursday on suspicion of filing false workers’ compensation claims and falsifying paperwork filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Matthew Stover, 50, was arrested after an arrest warrant was issued by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office as a result of an investigation conducted by the CHP Compensation Fraud Investigation Unit. The employee, who had been with the CHP for 22 years, was arrested without incident in Folsom, the CHP said.
Stover filed a claim in June 2023 and was ordered to be placed on leave by a doctor, according to a CHP news release. An “analysis” by the unit revealed possible fraud and an investigation was launched, the news release said.
While on injury leave, Stover participated in activities that were “contrary to the restrictions” he reported to doctors and were also contrary to doctor’s orders.
A CHP spokesperson declined to answer questions about the case, such as what activities Stover did that showed his inconsistent behavior, how much he allegedly stole and where he was stationed. The spokesperson referred questions to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Investigators also discovered that Stover lied and provided false vehicle registration papers, the release said.
Stover was arrested on suspicion of making a false statement to fraudulently obtain compensation, knowingly filing a false insurance claim, knowingly making a false statement for insurance benefits, concealing or failing to disclose events affecting his benefits, perjury and making false statements to the DMV.
He remained in custody Thursday evening at the Sacramento County Main Jail.
In 2023, the 22-year veteran earned $343,625.85 in total salaries and benefits worth $173,894.71, according to payroll data published by Transparent California.
