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Adjuster settles fraud charges over comp for ex-NFL player

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Adjuster settles fraud charges over comp for ex-NFL player

A former claims adjuster for Gallagher Bassett Services Inc. has agreed to pay $1.5 million in restitution after federal prosecutors said she helped a former New York Giants football player receive fraudulent workers compensation benefits, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Thursday.

Kimberly Jones pleaded guilty to wire fraud on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Sacramento, California, according to a statement from the attorney's office. She worked as a senior claims representative for Gallagher Bassett's Sacramento office from September 2001 to August 2011.

Gallagher Bassett was the third-party administrator for Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association Insurance Group, which provided workers comp insurance for the New York Giants. Marcus Buckley, who played for the Giants from 1993 to 2000, filed a California workers comp claim against the Giants in 2006 for cumulative stress injuries he suffered during his career.

The attorney's office said Mr. Buckley filed several false invoices and requests for reimbursement after his workers comp claim was settled for $300,000 sometime between late 2010 and June 2011. The allegedly false invoices were sent to Ms. Jones, who issued nearly $1.59 million in checks to Mr. Buckley from Gallagher Bassett.

Court filings say Ms. Jones was aware that Mr. Buckley was not entitled to additional reimbursements under his workers comp claim, and that she knowingly participated in the alleged fraud scheme. Court records do not indicate why Ms. Jones participated in the alleged fraud.

Mr. Buckley has been accused of wire fraud and money laundering, and his case is still pending, according to the attorney's office.

Ms. Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 7, the attorney's office said. On top of agreeing to pay restitution, Ms. Jones faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and a three-year term of supervised release.