High-heeled pageant moment turns into comp fraud walk of shame
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A California beauty queen has pleaded guilty to workers compensation fraud after she was found strutting her stuff in pageants while receiving comp benefits for an injured foot.
Shawna Lynn Palmer, 22, worked as a clerk for San Bernardino, California-based supermarket chain Stater Bros. Markets, and reported fracturing her toe at work in March 2014, according to a statement from the California Department of Insurance. Ms. Palmer claimed the accident left her unable to work, since she could not place any weight or wear a shoe on the injured foot, and she collected workers comp payments for her injury.
However, videos posted to YouTube showed Ms. Palmer competing in the 2014 Miss Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix pageant while she was on leave. The footage showed Ms. Palmer “wearing high heels and walking without any signs of discomfort,” the insurance department said Friday.
Ms. Palmer pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of workers comp fraud, the insurance department said in its statement. She was sentenced to 36 months of probation and 50 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay $6,000 in fines and restitution.
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