Willie Brown

I have never been a friend of Willie Brown, but if the Assembly Speaker can cause half of what he says he can in terms of prosecuting fraud on all levels of the workers’ compensation system (March 4), he has my vote for good.

The level of criminal fraud and abuse in our state, if not the nation as a whole, is staggering at all levels--far worse a scandal than Watergate, Iran-Contra, Iraggate, Panamagate and every other media-generated “gate” imaginable. Will anyone deny the fact that the average workers’ comp abuser steals more from his employer (and obliquely from his fellow employees) than the average bank robber per incident? As a manager, I put up with this criminal activity every day from fingernail “ouchie” to “psyche stress” claims.

I say stiff mandatory, well-publicized, jail terms for all perpetrators (yes, include first offenders). And, additionally, irrevocable loss of license and disbarment to any physician or attorney who colludes in, or encourages, such conduct. As to employers who shamefully refuse to vigorously pursue potential fraud, they are systematically putting themselves out of business.

The majority of decent and honest employees, both management and labor, in the state stand ready to assist. Good luck, Willie!

TOM DEVER

Santa Monica