A former Bay Area sheriff’s deputy is facing the consequences after investigators say his disability claim did not match what he was doing in the gym.
Jordan Faatiga, 35, a former San Mateo County deputy sheriff, pleaded no contest to workers’ compensation fraud after prosecutors said he collected $62,000 in disability benefits while privately taking part in strenuous workouts.
According to prosecutors, Faatiga filed fraudulent paperwork saying an elbow injury suffered on duty had left him unable to work. He went on to receive tens of thousands of dollars in workers’ compensation payments before surveillance video allegedly showed him pushing through “intense gym workouts,” KTVU reported.
Faatiga served as a San Mateo County deputy sheriff from 2022 to 2025.
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His compensation also rose sharply during his tenure with the department. Public salary records from GovSalaries show Faatiga earned about $92,000 in 2022, with annual compensation climbing to more than $293,000 within three years. Workers’ compensation benefits are not reflected in standard public salary databases.
The case follows a similar fraud charge filed in February against a Los Angeles police officer accused of exercising while receiving disability benefits.
That officer, an 18-year LAPD veteran, was charged with felony insurance fraud after allegedly being seen skydiving and working out at a fitness center while claiming an elbow injury.
“This case is about honest and accountability. Claiming to be temporarily totally disabled and collecting disability benefits intended for injured workers while engaging in physically demanding activities like skydiving is a crime,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement at the time.
Two married Tustin police officers were also charged over false workers’ compensation claims in 2023.
The couple claimed they both suffered chronic back pain and collected over $180,000 but were caught mountain biking and boating during a vacation trip.
