WESTMINSTER, Calif. – The City of Westminster has filed a civil lawsuit against a former police officer who was charged with 15 felonies for committing worker’s compensation insurance fraud.
The Westminster City Council voted unanimously to seek to recover all of the funds — over $600,000 — as well as hold the officer accountable for this breech of public trust. The City of Westminster filed the lawsuit on July 8, 2025, naming Nicole Brown of Riverside.
The lawsuit seeks repayment of all disability and medical payments, benefits, and other funds unlawfully obtained by Brown; and seeks to recover costs associated with investigation and prosecution of the lawsuit.
The Orange County District Attorney’s office announced Brown was charged with 15 felony counts and one felony enhancement. Peter Gregory Schuman of Buena Park — a licensed workers’ compensation attorney and Brown’s stepfather — was charged with two felony counts, for making a fraudulent insurance benefit claim and assisting Brown, the Orange County District Attorney’s office stated.
Brown suffered an abrasion to her forehead while on the job on March 21, 2022, while attempting to arrest an uncooperative suspect. She was examined by an emergency room doctor and released back to work without restrictions, the Orange County District Attorney’s office stated. Several days later she was diagnosed with severe concussion syndrome and placed on Total Temporary Disability.
It was later discovered that while on disability, Brown had been skiing and/or snowboarding, competed in 5K races, attended conferences, played golf, took online university classes, went to Disneyland, and was seen dancing at the Stagecoach Music Festival. The Orange County District Attorney charged that Brown did not describe the true nature of her medical conditions to allow herself to be off work and to be paid disability benefits.
“This former police officer has betrayed the public trust. We owe it to our residents and to the honest, hard-working officers in our police department to seek to recover these funds,” said Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen. “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.”
In the civil lawsuit filed by the City of Westminster against former officer Nicole Brown for workers’ compensation fraud, the potential outcomes under California law include both financial restitution and civil penalties, in addition to any criminal consequences she may face separately.
Potential Civil Lawsuit Outcomes:
- Full Restitution of Funds
The city is seeking to recover over $600,000 in disability, medical, and other benefits that Brown allegedly obtained fraudulently. If the court finds in favor of the city, Brown could be ordered to repay the full amount. - Civil Penalties
Under California Insurance Code § 1871.4, civil penalties for workers’ compensation fraud can include:- Fines of up to $150,000, or twice the amount of the fraud, whichever is greater.
- Additional penalties for each false claim or misrepresentation.
- Investigation and Legal Costs
The city is also seeking reimbursement for the costs of investigating and prosecuting the fraud. This could include attorney’s fees, expert witness costs, and administrative expenses. - Professional Consequences
Since Brown was a police officer, a civil judgment could also impact her ability to work in law enforcement or other public service roles in the future. - Criminal Case Impact
While the civil case is separate, it may be influenced by the outcome of the criminal case. If Brown is convicted of the 15 felony counts, it would strongly support the city’s civil claims.