Globe-trotting bowhunter indicted in workers' comp scam
06-27-2007, 01:13 PM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Southern MD
Posts: 2,520
Globe-trotting bowhunter indicted in workers' comp scam
Pretty interesting story:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5583643,00.html
Globe-trotting bowhunter indicted in workers' comp scam
Renowned hunter accused of bilking workers comp
By Sara Burnett, Rocky Mountain News
June 13, 2007
David F. Holt, a former Denver police officer, built an international reputation as a bowhunter - leading trips to Africa, writing books and starring in instructional videos.
While he was doing all that, he was fraudulently collecting at least $667,000 in workers compensation and disability payments, the state attorney general said Tuesday.
Holt, 60, of Lakewood, was indicted on nine counts of forgery, two counts of theft and one count of making a false statement. If convicted, he faces up to 54 years in prison and a fine of up to $2.5 million.
The indictment charges that Holt lied about his disability for 18 years, convincing doctors he suffered from serious psychological and physical problems.
Holt's attorney, Rick Kornfeld, denied the charges, saying Holt engages in his bowhunting and related activities only with help from friends and colleagues.
"He never intended to defraud anybody or any entity, nor did he do so," Kornfeld said. "We have 20 years of medical records that support the fact he was and still is disabled."
Holt was in Africa on Tuesday on a pre-scheduled trip, Kornfeld said.
Holt started working as a Denver police officer in 1968. According to the indictment returned Friday in Denver District Court, he claimed to have hurt himself in March 1986 while running a Denver Police Department obstacle course.
Though initial tests were negative, tests six days later revealed Holt may have been suffering from a ruptured blood vessel just outside his brain. He also told doctors he was suffering severe psychological problems, including paranoia, short-term memory loss and an inability to control his emotions, the indictment states.
His girlfriend at the time said Holt walked with a shuffling gait, but the injury "resolved a couple of weeks after the accident, except when he went to a doctor," according to the indictment.
Holt was approved for temporary disability in 1986, receiving weekly payments of about $336. The following year, the City and County of Denver granted permanent total disability.
Meanwhile, Holt was working on his first book, Balanced Bowhunting, which he self-published in 1988. He told doctors that friends helped him complete the project, according to the indictment.
In the following years, Holt traveled extensively, promoting the book, taking hunting trips, writing for magazines and appearing in promotional videos.
In 1999, he formed a company called Dave Holt's Africa, to take bowhunters on overseas trips. He published Balanced Bow-hunting II in 2004, and was one of two instructors featured on the cover of the 2005 DVD Africa With Stick and String.
In 2004, suspicious of his many bowhunting activities, Denver hired investigators to conduct surveillance on Holt, the indictment said. A psychologist was later hired to conduct an examination, which Holt was required to attend.
Holt missed the first two appointments, saying he was too upset to attend. When they did meet, Holt sat in a corner. He seemed "childlike and fearful," and said he couldn't read or write without help, according to the indictment.
The psychologist diagnosed Holt as "malingering," or faking or exaggerating his illness, and Denver moved to revoke Holt's disability status. Colorado Attorney General John Suthers took the case to a statewide grand jury last fall.
"Workers compensation is an important tool to protect the health and well-being of employees in Colorado," Suthers said in a statement released Tuesday. "It is imperative we ensure the integrity of the system by catching those who commit fraud and prosecuting them to the full extent of the law."
Holt's bond has been set at $1 million. His attorney said he didn't know when Holt is scheduled to return to Colorado.
Indictment excerpts
• "Holt claimed to have been experiencing ever- more serious physical and psychological symptoms such as being frightened of strangers; extreme short-term memory loss; an inability to control his emotions; paranoia; not being able to care for himself; and presented to at least one doctor as 'a frightened 3-year-old child clinging to his mother's skirt for protection against a hostile world.' "
• "Initially, Holt also displayed a shuffling gait, which according to Christine Ruys, his girlfriend at the time, resolved a couple of weeks after the accident, except when he went to a doctor."
• "Between 1987 and 1990, his treating physician . . . a psychiatrist, continued to diagnose Holt with an organic personality disorder, and while noting that there had been some improvement, he believed it doubtful that Holt would ever be able to return to gainful employment."
• "In 1988, 1989 and 1990, Holt traveled extensively promoting his book and taking hunting trips. He wrote articles for Bowhunter Magazine, did consulting work, made money loaning money, invested in real estate and earned money by giving bow-hunting lessons."
• "In 1999, Holt began to charter hunting trips to take people bowhunting in Africa, called 'Dave Holt's Africa,' and later officially filed it as a trade name on Jan. 19, 2005. According to Jody Hefley, Holt's girlfriend during this period, he was in no way disabled."
• "According to Dr. Klein, Holt presented himself extremely depressed and downtrodden, and spoke in a soft voice. He sat far away in a corner, and presented himself as childlike and fearful. Holt claimed that he could not complete the patient form and that he was unable to read and write without a lot of help. Holt told Dr. Klein in the interview that his days consisted of watching TV, and reading and writing with a lot of assistance. He told Klein that he 'plays' with his bows and arrows and does target shooting outside. All of this seemed improbable to Klein, so she did some further investigation."
Tracking David F. Holt
• 1968: Holt joins the Denver police department
• 1986: Holt says he is injured while running a police obstacle course and begins collecting temporary disability.
• 1987: City and county of Denver approves permanent total disability.
• 1988: Holt self-publishes first book, Balanced Bowhunting. He tells doctors he had help from friends to complete the project.
• 1999: Holt starts Dave Holt's Africa, leading bowhunting trips to Africa.
• 2004: Publishes Balanced Bowhunting II. City and county of Denver hires investigators to conduct surveillance on Holt.
• 2005: An instructional video starring Holt is released. A doctor meets with him and determines he is faking or exaggerating his illness - a claim his attorney denies. Permanent total disability status is withdrawn.
• 2006: A statewide grand jury begins hearing the case
• June 8, 2007: The grand jury hands up a 12-count indictment. Holt's attorney says he has medical records to show that Holt is disabled.Source: Indictment, Attorney General John Suthers
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5583643,00.html
Globe-trotting bowhunter indicted in workers' comp scam
Renowned hunter accused of bilking workers comp
By Sara Burnett, Rocky Mountain News
June 13, 2007
David F. Holt, a former Denver police officer, built an international reputation as a bowhunter - leading trips to Africa, writing books and starring in instructional videos.
While he was doing all that, he was fraudulently collecting at least $667,000 in workers compensation and disability payments, the state attorney general said Tuesday.
Holt, 60, of Lakewood, was indicted on nine counts of forgery, two counts of theft and one count of making a false statement. If convicted, he faces up to 54 years in prison and a fine of up to $2.5 million.
The indictment charges that Holt lied about his disability for 18 years, convincing doctors he suffered from serious psychological and physical problems.
Holt's attorney, Rick Kornfeld, denied the charges, saying Holt engages in his bowhunting and related activities only with help from friends and colleagues.
"He never intended to defraud anybody or any entity, nor did he do so," Kornfeld said. "We have 20 years of medical records that support the fact he was and still is disabled."
Holt was in Africa on Tuesday on a pre-scheduled trip, Kornfeld said.
Holt started working as a Denver police officer in 1968. According to the indictment returned Friday in Denver District Court, he claimed to have hurt himself in March 1986 while running a Denver Police Department obstacle course.
Though initial tests were negative, tests six days later revealed Holt may have been suffering from a ruptured blood vessel just outside his brain. He also told doctors he was suffering severe psychological problems, including paranoia, short-term memory loss and an inability to control his emotions, the indictment states.
His girlfriend at the time said Holt walked with a shuffling gait, but the injury "resolved a couple of weeks after the accident, except when he went to a doctor," according to the indictment.
Holt was approved for temporary disability in 1986, receiving weekly payments of about $336. The following year, the City and County of Denver granted permanent total disability.
Meanwhile, Holt was working on his first book, Balanced Bowhunting, which he self-published in 1988. He told doctors that friends helped him complete the project, according to the indictment.
In the following years, Holt traveled extensively, promoting the book, taking hunting trips, writing for magazines and appearing in promotional videos.
In 1999, he formed a company called Dave Holt's Africa, to take bowhunters on overseas trips. He published Balanced Bow-hunting II in 2004, and was one of two instructors featured on the cover of the 2005 DVD Africa With Stick and String.
In 2004, suspicious of his many bowhunting activities, Denver hired investigators to conduct surveillance on Holt, the indictment said. A psychologist was later hired to conduct an examination, which Holt was required to attend.
Holt missed the first two appointments, saying he was too upset to attend. When they did meet, Holt sat in a corner. He seemed "childlike and fearful," and said he couldn't read or write without help, according to the indictment.
The psychologist diagnosed Holt as "malingering," or faking or exaggerating his illness, and Denver moved to revoke Holt's disability status. Colorado Attorney General John Suthers took the case to a statewide grand jury last fall.
"Workers compensation is an important tool to protect the health and well-being of employees in Colorado," Suthers said in a statement released Tuesday. "It is imperative we ensure the integrity of the system by catching those who commit fraud and prosecuting them to the full extent of the law."
Holt's bond has been set at $1 million. His attorney said he didn't know when Holt is scheduled to return to Colorado.
Indictment excerpts
• "Holt claimed to have been experiencing ever- more serious physical and psychological symptoms such as being frightened of strangers; extreme short-term memory loss; an inability to control his emotions; paranoia; not being able to care for himself; and presented to at least one doctor as 'a frightened 3-year-old child clinging to his mother's skirt for protection against a hostile world.' "
• "Initially, Holt also displayed a shuffling gait, which according to Christine Ruys, his girlfriend at the time, resolved a couple of weeks after the accident, except when he went to a doctor."
• "Between 1987 and 1990, his treating physician . . . a psychiatrist, continued to diagnose Holt with an organic personality disorder, and while noting that there had been some improvement, he believed it doubtful that Holt would ever be able to return to gainful employment."
• "In 1988, 1989 and 1990, Holt traveled extensively promoting his book and taking hunting trips. He wrote articles for Bowhunter Magazine, did consulting work, made money loaning money, invested in real estate and earned money by giving bow-hunting lessons."
• "In 1999, Holt began to charter hunting trips to take people bowhunting in Africa, called 'Dave Holt's Africa,' and later officially filed it as a trade name on Jan. 19, 2005. According to Jody Hefley, Holt's girlfriend during this period, he was in no way disabled."
• "According to Dr. Klein, Holt presented himself extremely depressed and downtrodden, and spoke in a soft voice. He sat far away in a corner, and presented himself as childlike and fearful. Holt claimed that he could not complete the patient form and that he was unable to read and write without a lot of help. Holt told Dr. Klein in the interview that his days consisted of watching TV, and reading and writing with a lot of assistance. He told Klein that he 'plays' with his bows and arrows and does target shooting outside. All of this seemed improbable to Klein, so she did some further investigation."
Tracking David F. Holt
• 1968: Holt joins the Denver police department
• 1986: Holt says he is injured while running a police obstacle course and begins collecting temporary disability.
• 1987: City and county of Denver approves permanent total disability.
• 1988: Holt self-publishes first book, Balanced Bowhunting. He tells doctors he had help from friends to complete the project.
• 1999: Holt starts Dave Holt's Africa, leading bowhunting trips to Africa.
• 2004: Publishes Balanced Bowhunting II. City and county of Denver hires investigators to conduct surveillance on Holt.
• 2005: An instructional video starring Holt is released. A doctor meets with him and determines he is faking or exaggerating his illness - a claim his attorney denies. Permanent total disability status is withdrawn.
• 2006: A statewide grand jury begins hearing the case
• June 8, 2007: The grand jury hands up a 12-count indictment. Holt's attorney says he has medical records to show that Holt is disabled.Source: Indictment, Attorney General John Suthers
06-27-2007, 01:17 PM
#3
Bartender
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 6,634
RE: Globe-trotting bowhunter indicted in workers' comp scam
HMMM GERM,
Globe-trotting bowhunter indicted in workers' comp scam
Renowned hunter accused of bilking workers comp
By Sara Burnett, Rocky Mountain News
June 13, 2007
GERM, a former Denver police officer, built an international reputation as a bowhunter - leading trips to Africa, writing books and starring in instructional videos.
While he was doing all that, he was fraudulently collecting at least $667,000 in workers compensation and disability payments, the state attorney general said Tuesday.
GERM, 60, of Lakewood, was indicted on nine counts of forgery, two counts of theft and one count of making a false statement. If convicted, he faces up to 54 years in prison and a fine of up to $2.5 million.
The indictment charges that GERM lied about his disability for 18 years, convincing doctors he suffered from serious psychological and physical problems.
GERM's attorney, Rick Kornfeld, denied the charges, saying GERM engages in his bowhunting and related activities only with help from friends and colleagues.
"He never intended to defraud anybody or any entity, nor did he do so," Kornfeld said. "We have 20 years of medical records that support the fact he was and still is disabled."
GERM was in Africa on Tuesday on a pre-scheduled trip, Kornfeld said.
GERM started working as a Denver police officer in 1968. According to the indictment returned Friday in Denver District Court, he claimed to have hurt himself in March 1986 while running a Denver Police Department obstacle course.
Though initial tests were negative, tests six days later revealed GERM may have been suffering from a ruptured blood vessel just outside his brain. He also told doctors he was suffering severe psychological problems, including paranoia, short-term memory loss and an inability to control his emotions, the indictment states.
His girlfriend at the time said GERM walked with a shuffling gait, but the injury "resolved a couple of weeks after the accident, except when he went to a doctor," according to the indictment.
GERM was approved for temporary disability in 1986, receiving weekly payments of about $336. The following year, the City and County of Denver granted permanent total disability.
Meanwhile, GERM was working on his first book, Balanced Bowhunting, which he self-published in 1988. He told doctors that friends helped him complete the project, according to the indictment.
In the following years, GERM traveled extensively, promoting the book, taking hunting trips, writing for magazines and appearing in promotional videos.
In 1999, he formed a company called Dave GERM's Africa, to take bowhunters on overseas trips. He published Balanced Bow-hunting II in 2004, and was one of two instructors featured on the cover of the 2005 DVD Africa With Stick and String.
In 2004, suspicious of his many bowhunting activities, Denver hired investigators to conduct surveillance on GERM, the indictment said. A psychologist was later hired to conduct an examination, which GERM was required to attend.
GERM missed the first two appointments, saying he was too upset to attend. When they did meet, GERM sat in a corner. He seemed "childlike and fearful," and said he couldn't read or write without help, according to the indictment.
The psychologist diagnosed GERM as "malingering," or faking or exaggerating his illness, and Denver moved to revoke GERM's disability status. Colorado Attorney General John Suthers took the case to a statewide grand jury last fall.
"Workers compensation is an important tool to protect the health and well-being of employees in Colorado," Suthers said in a statement released Tuesday. "It is imperative we ensure the integrity of the system by catching those who commit fraud and prosecuting them to the full extent of the law."
GERM's bond has been set at $1 million. His attorney said he didn't know when GERM is scheduled to return to Colorado.
Indictment excerpts
• "GERM claimed to have been experiencing ever- more serious physical and psychological symptoms such as being frightened of strangers; extreme short-term memory loss; an inability to control his emotions; paranoia; not being able to care for himself; and presented to at least one doctor as 'a frightened 3-year-old child clinging to his mother's skirt for protection against a hostile world.' "
• "Initially, GERM also displayed a shuffling gait, which according to Christine Ruys, his girlfriend at the time, resolved a couple of weeks after the accident, except when he went to a doctor."
• "Between 1987 and 1990, his treating physician . . . a psychiatrist, continued to diagnose GERM with an organic personality disorder, and while noting that there had been some improvement, he believed it doubtful that GERM would ever be able to return to gainful employment."
• "In 1988, 1989 and 1990, GERM traveled extensively promoting his book and taking hunting trips. He wrote articles for Bowhunter Magazine, did consulting work, made money loaning money, invested in real estate and earned money by giving bow-hunting lessons."
• "In 1999, GERM began to charter hunting trips to take people bowhunting in Africa, called 'Dave GERM's Africa,' and later officially filed it as a trade name on Jan. 19, 2005. According to Jody Hefley, GERM's girlfriend during this period, he was in no way disabled."
• "According to Dr. Klein, GERM presented himself extremely depressed and downtrodden, and spoke in a soft voice. He sat far away in a corner, and presented himself as childlike and fearful. GERM claimed that he could not complete the patient form and that he was unable to read and write without a lot of help. GERM told Dr. Klein in the interview that his days consisted of watching TV, and reading and writing with a lot of assistance. He told Klein that he 'plays' with his bows and arrows and does target shooting outside. All of this seemed improbable to Klein, so she did some further investigation."
Tracking David F. GERM
• 1968: GERM joins the Denver police department
• 1986: GERM says he is injured while running a police obstacle course and begins collecting temporary disability.
• 1987: City and county of Denver approves permanent total disability.
• 1988: GERM self-publishes first book, Balanced Bowhunting. He tells doctors he had help from friends to complete the project.
• 1999: GERM starts Dave GERM's Africa, leading bowhunting trips to Africa.
• 2004: Publishes Balanced Bowhunting II. City and county of Denver hires investigators to conduct surveillance on GERM.
• 2005: An instructional video starring GERM is released. A doctor meets with him and determines he is faking or exaggerating his illness - a claim his attorney denies. Permanent total disability status is withdrawn.
• 2006: A statewide grand jury begins hearing the case
• June 8, 2007: The grand jury hands up a 12-count indictment. GERM's attorney says he has medical records to show that GERM is disabled.Source: Indictment, Attorney General John Suthers
Globe-trotting bowhunter indicted in workers' comp scam
Renowned hunter accused of bilking workers comp
By Sara Burnett, Rocky Mountain News
June 13, 2007
GERM, a former Denver police officer, built an international reputation as a bowhunter - leading trips to Africa, writing books and starring in instructional videos.
While he was doing all that, he was fraudulently collecting at least $667,000 in workers compensation and disability payments, the state attorney general said Tuesday.
GERM, 60, of Lakewood, was indicted on nine counts of forgery, two counts of theft and one count of making a false statement. If convicted, he faces up to 54 years in prison and a fine of up to $2.5 million.
The indictment charges that GERM lied about his disability for 18 years, convincing doctors he suffered from serious psychological and physical problems.
GERM's attorney, Rick Kornfeld, denied the charges, saying GERM engages in his bowhunting and related activities only with help from friends and colleagues.
"He never intended to defraud anybody or any entity, nor did he do so," Kornfeld said. "We have 20 years of medical records that support the fact he was and still is disabled."
GERM was in Africa on Tuesday on a pre-scheduled trip, Kornfeld said.
GERM started working as a Denver police officer in 1968. According to the indictment returned Friday in Denver District Court, he claimed to have hurt himself in March 1986 while running a Denver Police Department obstacle course.
Though initial tests were negative, tests six days later revealed GERM may have been suffering from a ruptured blood vessel just outside his brain. He also told doctors he was suffering severe psychological problems, including paranoia, short-term memory loss and an inability to control his emotions, the indictment states.
His girlfriend at the time said GERM walked with a shuffling gait, but the injury "resolved a couple of weeks after the accident, except when he went to a doctor," according to the indictment.
GERM was approved for temporary disability in 1986, receiving weekly payments of about $336. The following year, the City and County of Denver granted permanent total disability.
Meanwhile, GERM was working on his first book, Balanced Bowhunting, which he self-published in 1988. He told doctors that friends helped him complete the project, according to the indictment.
In the following years, GERM traveled extensively, promoting the book, taking hunting trips, writing for magazines and appearing in promotional videos.
In 1999, he formed a company called Dave GERM's Africa, to take bowhunters on overseas trips. He published Balanced Bow-hunting II in 2004, and was one of two instructors featured on the cover of the 2005 DVD Africa With Stick and String.
In 2004, suspicious of his many bowhunting activities, Denver hired investigators to conduct surveillance on GERM, the indictment said. A psychologist was later hired to conduct an examination, which GERM was required to attend.
GERM missed the first two appointments, saying he was too upset to attend. When they did meet, GERM sat in a corner. He seemed "childlike and fearful," and said he couldn't read or write without help, according to the indictment.
The psychologist diagnosed GERM as "malingering," or faking or exaggerating his illness, and Denver moved to revoke GERM's disability status. Colorado Attorney General John Suthers took the case to a statewide grand jury last fall.
"Workers compensation is an important tool to protect the health and well-being of employees in Colorado," Suthers said in a statement released Tuesday. "It is imperative we ensure the integrity of the system by catching those who commit fraud and prosecuting them to the full extent of the law."
GERM's bond has been set at $1 million. His attorney said he didn't know when GERM is scheduled to return to Colorado.
Indictment excerpts
• "GERM claimed to have been experiencing ever- more serious physical and psychological symptoms such as being frightened of strangers; extreme short-term memory loss; an inability to control his emotions; paranoia; not being able to care for himself; and presented to at least one doctor as 'a frightened 3-year-old child clinging to his mother's skirt for protection against a hostile world.' "
• "Initially, GERM also displayed a shuffling gait, which according to Christine Ruys, his girlfriend at the time, resolved a couple of weeks after the accident, except when he went to a doctor."
• "Between 1987 and 1990, his treating physician . . . a psychiatrist, continued to diagnose GERM with an organic personality disorder, and while noting that there had been some improvement, he believed it doubtful that GERM would ever be able to return to gainful employment."
• "In 1988, 1989 and 1990, GERM traveled extensively promoting his book and taking hunting trips. He wrote articles for Bowhunter Magazine, did consulting work, made money loaning money, invested in real estate and earned money by giving bow-hunting lessons."
• "In 1999, GERM began to charter hunting trips to take people bowhunting in Africa, called 'Dave GERM's Africa,' and later officially filed it as a trade name on Jan. 19, 2005. According to Jody Hefley, GERM's girlfriend during this period, he was in no way disabled."
• "According to Dr. Klein, GERM presented himself extremely depressed and downtrodden, and spoke in a soft voice. He sat far away in a corner, and presented himself as childlike and fearful. GERM claimed that he could not complete the patient form and that he was unable to read and write without a lot of help. GERM told Dr. Klein in the interview that his days consisted of watching TV, and reading and writing with a lot of assistance. He told Klein that he 'plays' with his bows and arrows and does target shooting outside. All of this seemed improbable to Klein, so she did some further investigation."
Tracking David F. GERM
• 1968: GERM joins the Denver police department
• 1986: GERM says he is injured while running a police obstacle course and begins collecting temporary disability.
• 1987: City and county of Denver approves permanent total disability.
• 1988: GERM self-publishes first book, Balanced Bowhunting. He tells doctors he had help from friends to complete the project.
• 1999: GERM starts Dave GERM's Africa, leading bowhunting trips to Africa.
• 2004: Publishes Balanced Bowhunting II. City and county of Denver hires investigators to conduct surveillance on GERM.
• 2005: An instructional video starring GERM is released. A doctor meets with him and determines he is faking or exaggerating his illness - a claim his attorney denies. Permanent total disability status is withdrawn.
• 2006: A statewide grand jury begins hearing the case
• June 8, 2007: The grand jury hands up a 12-count indictment. GERM's attorney says he has medical records to show that GERM is disabled.Source: Indictment, Attorney General John Suthers
06-27-2007, 01:28 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Southern MD
Posts: 2,520
RE: Globe-trotting bowhunter indicted in workers' comp scam
ORIGINAL: HuntingEd
yup, sorry bud but its old news here... we had a nice long thread a few weeks ago.
yup, sorry bud but its old news here... we had a nice long thread a few weeks ago.
You aint getting child support out of me
