Ex-California Cop on 'Disability Leave' Caught Partying, travelling Now State Wants $600k Back

A former police officer in Westminster, California, is facing serious allegations after claiming nearly £461,000 ($600,000) in disability benefits while maintaining a visibly active and high-profile lifestyle, according to state investigators.

Nicole Brown, 39, allegedly told authorities she was 'very unwell to work' due to psychological issues stemming from a minor head injury sustained on duty in 2021. However, her social media accounts, now set to private, painted a dramatically different picture. Posts showed her attending music festivals, skiing, travelling, running road races and visiting Disneyland, all while receiving full benefits.

According to the Associated Press, Brown was captured dancing and drinking at the Stagecoach Music Festival in April 2023. This was just weeks before she appeared in a Zoom-based disability hearing, claiming she could not tolerate bright lights or screens.

State Investigation Cites Digital Trail

The case came to light following an anonymous tip that prompted a digital audit of Brown's social media accounts. Investigators say her use of hashtags such as '#festivalqueen' and '#vacaymode' helped them compile a timeline that contradicted her disability claims.

'What used to be a paper trail is now a digital feed,' a fraud analyst told local reporters. 'And sometimes, that feed tells a story people don't expect to be held accountable for.'

Other posts allegedly documented visits to Disneyland, ski resorts, golf courses and sporting events. These activities, officials say, conflict directly with medical documentation submitted to justify her long-term leave and benefits.

Legal Action Underway

The California State Compensation Insurance Fund and the City of Westminster are now seeking to recover the full amount, which includes both salary and medical reimbursements. Brown and her stepfather, attorney Peter Gregory Schuman, face up to 16 felony charges including insurance fraud, as reported by People.

If convicted, Brown could face up to 22 years in prison. Schuman, who allegedly helped facilitate her claims, could face up to eight years and potential disbarment. Neither has issued a public statement, and Brown is no longer employed by the Westminster Police Department.

Broader Implications for Benefit Oversight

The case has reignited debate over how governments monitor long-term disability and workers' compensation claims. Officials say most recipients are legitimate, but high-profile cases like Brown's erode public trust and may lead to stricter screening and monitoring procedures.

The state of California estimates that benefit fraud could cost up to £2.4 billion ($3 billion) annually. Legal experts say the Brown case could serve as a precedent for how digital footprints are used in fraud investigations going forward.

For now, Nicole Brown remains free while legal proceedings continue. The case underscores how social media has become a powerful tool, not only for connection and expression, but increasingly, for evidence.