King City Roofing Contractor Ordered to Pay over $159,000 in Restitution for Insurance Fraud

Salinas, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Friday, January 31 that 38-year-old Hector Hernandez of King City and owner of Hernandez Roofing, was sentenced by Judge Pamela Butler to 5 years of felony probation for insurance fraud and state tax evasion. As a term of probation, Hernandez was ordered to pay $159,059.03 in restitution to his workers’ compensation insurance carrier, State Compensation Insurance Fund.
Between 2013 and 2016, Hernandez secured a workers’ compensation insurance policy for his business through the State Compensation Insurance Fund (“SCIF”). In order to pay lower insurance premiums, he denied having any employees. The District Attorney’s Office opened an investigation in February 2016, obtaining building permits showing that Hernandez handled about 96 roofing jobs in a 4 year period. Interviews of workers and homeowners revealed that he used at least 3 employees for these jobs. Hernandez attempted to conceal the employees and wages by paying cash. Investigators calculated Hernandez defrauded SCIF of $159,059.00 in premiums.
The District Attorney filed felony charges on January 23, 2018. The charges included intentionally misrepresenting his payroll to SCIF to obtain a reduced premium – a violation of Insurance Code Section 11880(a). Hernandez was also charged with payroll tax violations of the Unemployment Insurance Code. Hernandez pled guilty to 3 felonies on August 23, 2019.
The case was investigated by Monterey County Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit Investigators Martin Sanchez and George Costa.
Under California law, business owners and the public need to be aware that all employers are required to secure workers’ compensation insurance for their employees so that there is adequate medical coverage and other benefits for any work-related injury that may occur. Additionally, employers are required to register their business with the EDD and report their payroll on a quarterly basis. Failing to file payroll tax returns with intent to evade tax has a maximum penalty of three years and up to a $20,000 fine. Persons having information about suspected workers’ compensation fraud are encouraged to contact the District Attorney’s Office at (831) 755-3224.

Comments

King City Man Arrested on January 6 for Rape, Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor and Kidnapping

According to King City Police Department, on December 30, 2024 a 17-year-old minor female victim reported that she had attended a party on the 100 Block of Bedford Circle on December 24, 2024. During the party, the suspect provided her with alcohol. He then pulled the victim into a bedroom, forcibly removed her clothing and had sexual intercourse with her against her will. This case was investigated by the King City Police Department Investigations Unit which resulted in the apprehension and arrest on January 6, 2025 of the suspect identified as 21-year-old Jesus Oseguera Briseno of King City. Briseno was also booked into the Monterey County Jail charged with Rape, Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor and Kidnapping. Anyone with further information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the King City Police Department at (844) 844-3382; Sergeant Josh Partida (831) 385-4848 or jpartida@kingcity.com; or the WeTip line at 1-800-78-CRIME. Your call may remain completely ano...

King City CHP is searching for person of interest who fled the scene of a fatal crash in Greenfield

On Monday, September 16 at approximately 3:50 pm, a fatal traffic collision occurred on Metz Road south of Elm Avenue in Greenfield. The driver who caused the collision fled on foot and is currently outstanding. The California Highway Patrol King City Area is currently seeking the whereabouts of 31-year-old Agustin Santana-Moncada of King City who has been identified as a person of interest in the case. The King City Area is requesting assistance from the public in locating Santana-Moncada. Anyone with information is asked to contact the King City Area office at (831) 385-3216.

Homicide of Inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad Under Investigation

APRIL 8, 2025 SOLEDAD, CA – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating an alleged homicide of incarcerated person 36-year-old Joseph Mendoza which occurred on Tuesday night, April 8, 2025, at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad. At approximately 5:39 p.m., staff observed incarcerated persons 30-year-old Edgar Frayre and 32-year-old Nicolas Young attacking Joseph Mendoza with improvised weapons on the dayroom floor in Facility C. Staff immediately responded and issued several verbal commands to stop, which were ignored. Staff then deployed multiple less-than-lethal use-of-force options, which ultimately quelled the incident. Frayre and Young were secured in handcuffs. Medical aid was initiated for Mendoza; however, he was pronounced deceased at 6:10 p.m. Medical evaluations were conducted on Frayre and Young, and no serious injuries were reported. Frayre and Young have been placed in restricted housing pending an investigat...

KRKC COUNTRY

Search This Blog