Most money will go to investigate insurance fraud
By Emily Alpert Staff Writer
Gilroy – The District Attorney’s Office netted more than $4 million in grant money to combat meth use, spousal abuse and insurance fraud this year.
“These crimes may be less sensational than some,” said District Attorney George Kennedy, “however, the impact on the community is just as serious.”
The bulk of the money will go to foiling insurance fraud: four grants totaling $3,623,857 were awarded by the California Department of Insurance. Auto insurance fraud alone costs insurance consumers an additional $200 per year, per policy. Other costs result when businesses don’t give worker’s compensation, forcing hospitals to foot the bill for emergency services when employees suffer injuries.
Slimmer grants will bolster drug enforcement and domestic violence support. The State Office of Emergency Services gave $315,397 to the DA’s office, partially funding two deputy DAs and two deputy probation officers, who participate in drug sweeps in high-incidence neighborhoods.
Finally, a $95,033 grant from the state Department of Justice was granted to the office’s Domestic Violence Unit. The money will help support a criminal investigator and the Victim-Witness Assistance Center, a San Jose-based program that provides counseling and emergency services to survivors of domestic violence. Victor Reyes, VWAC supervisor, said the funding would allow the group to expand its existing programs.
