Lancaster Teacher Arrested for Child Abuse and Insurance Fraud

LANCASTER – A 61-year-old Lancaster teacher was arrested Tuesday for child abuse and insurance Fraud the California Department of Insurance officials said. The Department of Insurance detectives arrested Eric Johnson, of Valencia for an incident that involved a 17-year-old student at Camp Mendenhall juvenile facility.

Johnson,  a teacher for the Los Angeles County Office of Education filed a workers compensation claim after a physical altercation with the teen boy. Johnson claimed that the student started the fight, but surveillance footage indicated that Johnson instigated the fight with the minor. Victim and witness statements matched what was viewed on the video footage, detectives said.

Although Johnson claimed to have injuries from being struck in the face and shoved into the wall, it was learned that he sustained no physical injuries. Major loss to the Los Angeles County Office of Education was prevented due to the early discovery of the fraudulent claim. The loss was estimated at around $1000.

Johnson was booked into the LA County Sheriff’s Detention facility.

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