RIVERSIDE, CA — A former Westminster Police Department officer is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly faking a disability while enjoying an active lifestyle that included music festivals, races, golf, and amusement parks, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Nicole Brown, 39, of Riverside, claimed she suffered a severe concussion after a minor forehead abrasion during an arrest on March 30, 2022. She was diagnosed with “severe concussion syndrome” and placed on Total Temporary Disability (TTD), receiving over $600,000 in tax-free benefits and medical expenses.
Brown told doctors she suffered from symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, light sensitivity, and trouble with screens and computers. However, the DA’s investigation revealed a very different story.
Just three days after her reported injury, Brown allegedly attended an AYSO soccer conference in San Diego featuring PowerPoint presentations — the very kind of screen exposure she claimed to be unable to tolerate.
Further surveillance and witness reports showed her:
Running two 5K races
Skiing and snowboarding in Big Bear and Mammoth
Dancing and drinking at the Stagecoach Music Festival
Playing golf
Visiting Disneyland
Attending multiple AYSO conferences
Taking online college courses
The Orange County DA charged Brown with:
9 felony counts of making a fraudulent statement to obtain compensation
6 felony counts of fraudulent insurance claims
1 felony enhancement for aggravated white collar crime over $100,000
If convicted on all charges, Brown faces up to 22 years in state prison.
Also charged is her stepfather, Peter Gregory Schuman, 57, a licensed workers’ compensation defense attorney. He faces:
1 felony count of fraudulent insurance benefit claim
1 felony count of conspiracy and assisting in the unlawful act
Schuman could face up to 8 years in prison if convicted.
The DA’s office emphasized the seriousness of the case, noting that this type of fraud undermines trust in the workers’ compensation system and diverts resources from those with legitimate injuries.
