Former California Highway Patrol Officer Jordan Lester is facing five felony counts that include workers’ compensation insurance fraud and theft.
Lester, 44, was arrested in Quincy by CHP investigators without incident Aug. 20. He was booked into the Plumas County jail. The arrest followed an extensive, multiyear investigation by the CHP’s Workers’ Compensation Fraud Investigations Unit.
Lester allegedly filed a workers’ compensation insurance claim on July 12, 2021, according to a CHP press release. Lester’s physician placed him on leave in January 2022. While Lester was off work, CHP officers received an anonymous tip claiming Lester was engaging in activities inconsistent with the limitations set by medical providers.
During the investigation, Lester, a 16-year veteran of the department, committed perjury and made false statements to the Department of Motor Vehicles after allegedly misrepresenting the price of a vehicle he bought, according to the CHP.
The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for Lester’s arrest on charges including:
· False statement to fraudulently obtain compensation
· Present false statement regarding insurance claim or benefit
· Conceal or fail to disclose event affecting benefits
· Perjury
· False statements to DMV or CHP
Lester is alleged to have committed his crimes while working for CHP Central Command in Sacramento. Although he received a transfer to Quincy, he never actually worked there, said Plumas County District Attorney David Hollister.
Lester’s case is being tried in Sacramento County Superior Court, said a spokesperson for the Plumas County District Attorney’s Office.
Editor’s note: This story was updated Aug. 21 to include additional information made available to The Plumas Sun.
