‘Godfather’ gets 54 years in $150M Southern California workers’ comp scheme – Orange County Register

A man, who Riverside County Superior Court records show called himself “The Godfather,” was sentenced to serve 54 years in state prison and pay $23 million in fines for orchestrating a criminal organization that attempted to defraud the state of $150 million in a workers’ case. ‘compensation fraud, said the public prosecutor’s office on Monday April 15.

Judge Charles J. Koosed sentenced Peyman Heidary, 53, Friday, April 12, following his January conviction on 68 counts of insurance fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and other crimes, notably to pose as a lawyer.

Koosed said Heidary had extensive knowledge of workers’ compensation.

Heidary, a chiropractor, operated fake law offices and medical clinics in Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles counties.

From 2009 to 2014, Heidary used his law firm to recruit legitimately injured people and exaggerated their injuries. He ordered his employees to provide unnecessary treatment, resulting in inflated billing to insurance companies, the prosecutor’s office said.

“California’s workers’ compensation system is designed to help injured workers get back on their feet without ruining them financially,” District Attorney Mike Hestrin said in a statement. “Sophisticated criminals like Mr. Heidary don’t just steal money: they also take advantage of innocent patients. The sentence imposed…sends a strong message that these types of offenses will not be tolerated in Riverside County.”

Heidary was indicted in 2014. The criminal complaint listed his aliases as Brian Heidary, The Godfather and Number One. His attorney at the time said Heidary referred to the latter two as a joke. A message left Monday with his current attorney seeking comment was not immediately returned.

Heidary was listed in public records as president of California Health Care Management in Corona, Anaheim and La Habra; The best of California promotions and management in Corona, Fullerton and Orange; Heidary Chiropractic in Corona, Fullerton and Anaheim; Doctor’s Reports Inc. in Fullerton and La Habra; California Injury Lawyers in Corona; and California Lawyers in Industry Network. Other records showed Heidary was a former managing member of Riverside Health Clinic, Corona Health Clinic and Santa Ana Health Clinic.

At the time of his arrest, the prosecutor’s office said insurance companies had paid him less than $50 million.

Two other people were convicted in the case.

Cary David Abramowitz was convicted of three counts of insurance fraud and one count of conspiracy in 2021. He was sentenced to approximately a year in the department’s work release program of the sheriff.

Erica Torres was convicted of seven counts of insurance fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20.