FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Thursday, August 2, 2012
Docket #: 2:12-cr-265-LKK

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Robert Daniel Castillo, 49, of Vacaville, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 19, 2012 and charged with six counts of defrauding three federal agencies for workers’ compensation and disability benefits, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. Castillo is scheduled to be arraigned today in Sacramento before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan at 2:00 p.m.

This case is the product of an investigation by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared C. Dolan is prosecuting the case.

“Workers’ compensation fraud is a serious crime and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General will vigorously pursue anyone who commits this offense. This indictment shows that our agency and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will not tolerate abuse of the workers’ compensation program and violators will be brought to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Nichole Cooper, Pacific Area Field Office, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

According to the indictment, Castillo claimed that he had injured his back, neck, and shoulder while on the job and concealed his ability to work and perform physical activity. For over 10 years, Castillo received federal workers’ compensation benefits based on that injury. Castillo also received Social Security Disability and Veterans Benefits based on claims of 100 percent disability. Altogether Castillo was receiving more than $6,000 each month based on his claimed disability. Castillo was observed playing basketball and softball, driving, shopping, washing a boat, performing yard work, and performing volunteer work. At doctor’s appointments and meetings with officials from the Department of Labor and Social Security, Castillo claimed an inability to do all of these things. Castillo is charged with separate counts of theft of United States property and false statements made to the government in seeking compensation payments.

If convicted, Castillo faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for mail fraud, 10 years in prison for theft of U.S. property and a five-year term for false statements. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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