I’m not familiar with the specifics of this case, but this is a much longer prison term than we’ve seen in many years for this type of fraud.

Ex-Prison Guard in Sacramento Sentenced To 7 Years

A former Folsom prison guard has been sentenced to seven years in prison for faking injuries to get money from the state.

It’s one of the most severe sentences ever for pension fraud in California.

June Lucena claimed she was too injured to work after falling 16 to 20 feet from a guard tower in 1999 and undergoing surgery on her shoulder and jaw.

But surveillance tape showed the 45-year-old piloting a jet ski and frolicking on a water slide.

A Sacramento County jury convicted Lucena on 14 counts of fraud for faking injuries to get workers’ compensation and state disability. Permanently disabled guards get tax-free pensions of half their pay for life.

Lucena’s attorney, Lance Daniel, called Friday’s sentence “outrageous,” and said he has filed notice to appeal.

Prison can be especially tough on ex-guards. This should serve as a strong deterrent to other prison employees in the state. Defrauding workers compensation isn’t worth the risk.