A California ex-cop who allegedly partied and took Disney trips while collecting hefty disability checks is being sued for the $600,000 she ripped off from the city.
Nicole Brown, 39, was charged with 15 felonies in May after authorities found she was faking a disability for an extensive leave from the Westminster Police Department, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
On top of the charges, Westminster officials announced they are fighting back against Brown on Wednesday.
They said they are seeking ‘repayment of all disability and medical payments, benefits, and other funds unlawfully obtained by Brown.’
‘This former police officer has betrayed the public trust,’ Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen said in a statement.
‘We owe it to our residents and to the honest, hard-working officers in our police department to seek to recover these funds.’
In March 2022, Brown hurt her forehead while handcuffing a suspect. She called off sick for days and claimed she was diagnosed with severe concussion syndrome from the incident.
Her diagnosis meant she was suffering from headaches, dizziness, light and noise sensitivity, and cognitive issues.
Nicole Brown (pictured), 39, was charged with 15 felonies in May after authorities found she was faking a disability for an extensive leave
An investigation revealed Brown took trips to Disneyland (pictured) while she was on disability leave
But prosecutors allegedly found the only injury she sustained was a cut – and the emergency room cleared her to return to work the same day.
They said that with the help of her step-father Peter Gregory Schuman, a workers’ compensation attorney, she fraudulently collected benefits and made baseless insurance benefit claims.
Her disability benefits included her full salary, which was tax-free, and all of her medical expenses, according to the DA’s office.
Brown’s story started unfolding when she was spotted drinking and dancing at the Stagecoach Music Festival in April 2023.
More than 750,000 people attended the rowdy event at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.
With music blaring and temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, it was likely one of the last places someone with a concussion would find themselves.
The police department heard about Brown’s eventful weekend and she was called to an interactive Zoom meeting to assess her abilities three days later.
‘During the meeting Brown claimed she was unable to look at the screen,’ the DA’s office wrote.
Brown’s story started unfolding when she was spotted drinking and dancing at the Stagecoach Music Festival in April 2023 (pictured)
Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen (pictured) said the city is filing a lawsuit to demand justice for its residents
Schuman, who has been charged with two felonies for allegedly aiding Brown’s scheme, was also at the meeting to advocate for his step-daughter.
He said ‘she was unable to do paperwork, and was uncertain that she could do phone calls due to her inability to process words or thoughts.’
Afterwards, Brown was admitted to an in-patient clinic for people with traumatic brain injuries.
Her festival appearance was then referred to the DA office and an investigation was launched – allegedly uncovering that Brown’s entire leave was actually an extended vacation.
Prosecutors said since she left her job, she had ran in two 5K races and went snowboarding in Big Bear and Mammoth.
She also allegedly attended three soccer conferences and baseball games. Instead of resting her head, she played golf and went gone to Disneyland.
Brown had even enrolled in online college courses at a local college.
Schuman faces two felonies – one count of count of making a fraudulent insurance benefit claim and one count of assisting, abetting, conspiring with and soliciting a person in unlawful act.
She also allegedly attended three soccer conferences and baseball games. Instead of resting her head, she played golf (stock image of golfers)
Schuman’s license to practice law is still active, but a warning has been added to his legal profile (pictured)
His license to practice law is still active, according to the State Bar of California.
But the legal association has added a warning to his profile: ‘This attorney has been charged with a felony.’
Brown was charged with nine counts of making a fraudulent statement to obtain compensation, six counts of making a fraudulent insurance benefit claim, and one enhancement of committing an aggravated while collar crime over $100,000.
She faces up to 22 years in prison if she is convicted of all the felony charges.
‘Our residents count on us to protect their taxpayer dollars and ensure that employees who are actually injured receive the support they need to recover. Fraud will not be tolerated in Westminster,’ Mayor Nguyen said.
