Authorities have charged a Los Angeles police officer with insurance fraud after he allegedly went skydiving while receiving full disability benefits. Christopher Brandon Carnahan, 43, from Norwalk, was charged earlier this week for reportedly exaggerating injuries he claimed to have sustained on duty in 2023, as stated by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Carnahan has been with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for 18 years. District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman emphasized the importance of integrity in this case, saying, “This case is about integrity and accountability.”
Officials revealed that Carnahan injured his left elbow during his duties on May 22, 2023, subsequently claiming Temporary Totally Disabled (TTD) status. This status allows police officers to receive their full salary without taxes for up to a year, after which they get two-thirds if the injury persists. But, it turns out, he has been engaging in significant physical activities, which seems contradictory to his claims of being fully disabled.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows him working out and, surprisingly, skydiving at Skydive Elsinore, located south of Los Angeles. This is intriguing, right? One of the images apparently shows him lifting weights in a way that doesn’t scream “I’m injured.”
Carnahan is facing two felony counts of insurance fraud, with his bail set at $100,000. If he’s found guilty, he could face up to six years behind bars. Meanwhile, the LAPD is looking into his employment status while the criminal proceedings unfold.
