A Los Angeles County Fire Department captain has been charged with fraudulently claiming long-term disability insurance for a work injury that could not have occurred because he was not at work.

45 year old Thomas Merryman was charged in case 25CJCF04929 with one felony count of insurance fraud, one felony count of false personation and two felony counts of forgery.

Merryman is accused of fraudulently claiming long-term disability benefits from Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company by submitting forged paperwork from a physician and another Los Angeles County Fire Department captain. Merryman allegedly defrauded the insurance company of more than $25,000.

News sources report that Merryman retired on March 1.

The complaint was filed for a warrant on Aug. 8, and his arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 9 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles. Authorities say Merryman currently resides in Georgetown, Texas. If convicted as charged, Merryman faces a maximum sentence of five years in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Arunas Sodonis of the Healthcare Fraud Division and was investigated by the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

“Fake disability claims will not be tolerated under my watch, especially by first responders charged with keeping our county safe,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “False healthcare claims raise insurance premiums and make it more difficult for people with legitimate work injuries to claim benefits. My message to public servants who abuse the system is clear: We are watching you. Prosecutors and investigators in my office are working closely with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and other agencies to root out fraud.”