A former California Highway Patrol officer who injured his back while on duty has pleaded no contest to felony workers’ compensation insurance fraud as a result of the Sacramento County District Attorney felony workers’ compensation insurance fraud and attempted perjury charges in June 2012.

Former officer Brian Christopher Hansen was a California Highway Patrol officer who sustained a back injury while on duty in November 2008.

The criminal complaint alleged that between Nov. 14, 2008 and Oct. 1, 2011, Hansen made numerous false statements to various doctors, investigators and in a sworn deposition regarding the extent of his physical disabilities caused by an on-duty injury to his back.

Hansen stated that because of pain from his back injury, he could only drive for short periods of time, could not sit for more than 30 minutes, could not pick up items weighing more than 10 pounds, and was so restricted in his physical abilities that he could not even perform limited office duties.

After being medically treated, he was placed on limited duty status in April 2009. Hansen worked one day watching training videos for four hours, but never returned stating it was too painful to sit for extended periods of time.

In July 2009, the CHP began an investigation. Hansen was observed performing tasks that were in conflict with what he reported his functional limitations were at the time, including driving non-stop for hours and participating in outdoor activities. Videotaped surveillance showed him driving for hours at a time, moving furniture when he changed residences, bending over and picking up items weighing more than 30 pounds, and engaging in everyday activities with no signs of any physical limitations, the DA’s office said.

Physicians who reviewed his medical reports and surveillance videos agreed Hansen did suffer an injury, but that he overstated his symptoms and understated his capabilities regarding his workers’ compensation claim.

Hansen entered the plea Aug. 29 and was sentenced by Sacramento Superior Court Judge Jaime Román to 180 days in Sacramento County Jail and five years formal probation, according to a Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office news release. He also is prohibited from ever seeking or accepting employment as a law enforcement officer.

Hansen graduated from the CHP Academy in 2007 and left the department in January 2012. The Redding native worked for the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office before joining the CHP.

This case was investigated by the California Highway Patrol Internal Affairs Division Workers Compensation Insurance Fraud Unit.