Former CDCR Correctional Officer from Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad is Convicted on Felony Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on October 23 that 43-year-old Lorena Hernandez Alvarado of King City and former correctional officer at Salinas Valley State Prison was remanded to serve 364 days in jail and was placed on felony probation for 5 years. She earlier pled no contest to felony insurance fraud and admitted the fraud exceeded $100,000 in loss and pled guilty to two separate DUI cases.

The fraud case arose out of a workplace injury claim made by Alvarado in April 2021. Alvarado claimed she

injured her shoulder, neck, back and knees while wielding a heavy shield to protect herself from liquid

thrown on her by an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison. The prison’s insurance company – State

Compensation Insurance Fund – accepted Alvarado’s insurance claim. Alvarado never returned to work and

received well over $200,000 in insurance benefits, including wage replacement and health care treatment.

In the ensuing investigation by the California Department of Corrections’ Internal Affairs, it was determined

that Alvarado never used a shield during the April 2021 incident. and received more than $200,000 in

disability payments, wage replacement and other insurance benefits.

During the criminal investigation, investigators for the California Department of Corrections and Monterey

County District Attorney learned that Alvarado had previously made false injury claims to obtain insurance

benefits.

The case was investigated by Investigator Adam Jimenez with the California Department of Corrections as

well as District Attorney Investigator Jennifer Mendoza.

People who have information about suspected Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud are encouraged to

contact the District Attorney’s office at 831-755-3224 or via email at ReportFraud@countyofmonterey.gov.

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