A Banning-based California Highway Patrol officer suspected of committing workers’ compensation insurance fraud by engaging in activities that allegedly reflected deception in her injury claims was released from custody Thursday after posting a $10,000 bond.
Kathleen M. Beardsley, 46, was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on suspicion of grand theft, filing a fraudulent workers’ comp claim, failure to disclose assets in preparation of a claim and signing a false affidavit, according to jail records.
According to CHP Officer Nathan Miller, Beardsley was assigned to the agency’s San Gorgonio Pass office, and on Feb. 14, 2019, she filed a claim for unspecified injuries.
Miller said that seven months ago, the office was informed that the suspect was allegedly doing outdoor activity that suggested she had lied on her claim.
A surveillance was established to monitor Beardsley at home and elsewhere, culminating in sufficient evidence to warrant allegations of workers’ comp fraud, according to Miller.
The suspect, who has been a CHP officer for 25 years, was summoned for questioning at the Banning Police Department, then arrested, Miller said.
He said that in addition to the criminal investigation, an internal probe related to alleged employee misconduct has been initiated by the CHP.
Beardsley’s peace officer status has been suspended, and she is now on paid administrative leave, according to Miller.
Anyone with information about the case or any other potential workers’ comp fraud perpetrated by CHP employees was asked to contact the agency at 866-779-9237, or via www.chp.ca.gov/notify-chp/workers-comp-fraud.