“CDI detectives investigated a web of alleged illegal activity aimed at fraudulently obtaining Workers’ Compensation money.   That investigation led to the arrests of four individuals who now face serious charges.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

SAN BERNARDINO — On April 24, 2025, the California Department of Insurance (CDI) announced that four individuals have been charged after an investigation revealed a large-scale workers’ compensation fraud scheme that allegedly targeted Spanish-speaking workers and involved the illegal sale of more than 1,100 clients generating more than $550,000 in unlawful referral fees.

CDI launched its investigation in October 2022 after receiving reports that Spanish-speaking workers were being contacted by a call center operating in Mexico. The callers allegedly promised individuals they could receive money by filing a workers’ compensation claim. In many cases, workers were misled and unknowingly completed official claims paperwork, which was then unlawfully sold to attorneys in Southern California.

The four defendants include:

• Antony Gluck, 55, of San Bernardino, who is charged with felony conspiracy and unlawful referrals.
• Michael De La Garza, 41, of Fontana, who is charged with felony conspiracy and unlawful referrals.
• Arely Franco, 42, of San Diego, who is charged with felony conspiracy and multiple counts of unlawful referrals of workers’ compensation claims.
• Juan Leal, 57, of Riverside, who is charged with felony conspiracy and unlawful referrals.

From January 2022 to September 2023, Franco allegedly sold approximately 320 clients to attorney De La Garza and his business partner Leal for $168,750. From September 2021 to October 2024, Franco sold an additional 798 clients to attorney Gluck for $388,500.

According to a 2024 report from the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau, the average workers’ compensation claim costs approximately $13,000. Based on this figure, the estimated loss in this case exceeds $14.5 million.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.