Suspects Face Felony Charges in Workers’ Compensation Insurance Scheme
OAKLAND — Three persons face numerous felony charges involving workers’ compensation insurance fraud and painting contracting companies. The allegations date back as far as 2015.
The alleged scheme defrauded insurance companies of more than $5 million in estimated losses. The suspects are accused of committing fraud by misrepresenting and omitting information about company structure and payroll
costs.
The scheme was outlined in a prepared statement released by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. It purportedly involved entering agreements to move employees from one company to another to save money on workers’ compensation insurance.
Insurance carrier SCIF lost approximately $3.1 million in premium payments, while AmTrust loss approximately $1.9 million.
Eric A. Oller and Brian C. Mitchell allegedly participated in this organized insurance and workers compensation fraud. Oller and Mitchell are former owners of Signature Painting and Construction Inc., based in Walnut Creek.
The third suspect is Yama Sekander, owner of A-1 World Class Painting Inc., based in Antioch. Apparently, A-1 was used to obtain workers’ compensation insurance for Signature Painting.
Oller owns Valhalla Consulting, which along with A-1, was used as a shell company by Mitchell to pay employees at Signature Painting. This was allegedly done to reduce workers’ compensation insurance costs for Signature Painting.
Court records indicate Oller faces 23 fraud-related charges, while Mitchell faces 31 fraud-related charges. Sekander faces three fraud-related charges.
No longer in custody, the suspects appeared for arraignment on September 20. Their next scheduled court date is November 18 at the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin.
