Menu Close

A former Fresno County District Attorney’s investigator was ordered to pay restitution after he pleaded no contest to a count of felony grand theft.

As part of his plea deal, John Harding Swenning, 46, of Kingsburg, was ordered Wednesday to pay $23,720 in restitution for investigation costs after he improperly received worker’s compensation benefits following a work-related injury. In 2009, Swenning made false statements to an investigator to get surgery from his worker’s compensation benefits.

His lawyer, Roger Nuttall, said Swenning “exaggerated symptoms” so he could get surgery and return to work.

Swenning is eligible to have the felony count reduced to a misdemeanor if he makes full restitution, Fresno County Superior Court documents said.