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Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Appointment of James E. Little to Fraud
Assessment Commission March 1, 2007 – Agoura Hills, CA – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the
appointment of James E. Little to the California Fraud Assessment Commission. California's Fraud Assessment Commission consists of two insurers, two self-insured
employers, and one insured employer. The State Compensation Insurance Fund’s
president is a permanent member of the Fraud Assessment Commission of five. The Workers' Compensation Fraud Program was established in 1991 through the passage
of Senate Bill 1218 (Chapter 116). The law made workers' compensation fraud a felony,
required insurers to report suspected fraud, and established a mechanism for funding
enforcement and prosecution activities. Senate Bill 1218 also established the Fraud
Assessment Commission to determine the level of assessments to fund investigation and
prosecution of workers' compensation insurance fraud. The Commission designates
annual funding to local District Attorneys’ offices throughout California to prosecute
workers’ compensation insurance fraud, and the funding comes from California
employers who are legally required to be insured or self-insured. “Even though insurance rates are dropping to historic lows, we have to remain diligent in
identifying, investigating, and prosecuting workers’ compensation fraud committed by
any participant in the workers’ compensation system. I am honored to serve Governor
Schwarzenegger in this important position and look forward to working with the
Commissioners and the Department of Insurance to continue the fight against workers’
compensation fraud,” says Little. James E. Little’s career in the workers’ compensation insurance industry spans more than
38 years. Since 2002, he has been the Chairman/President & CEO of Employers Direct
Insurance Company, based in Agoura Hills. Prior to co-founding Employers Direct, Little
was president and chief executive officer for the Fremont Compensation Insurance Group
from 1990 to 1998. During Governor Pete Wilson’s Administration, he served as an
appointee on the California Workers’ Compensation Fraud Assessment Commission for
two terms. The position on the Fraud Assessment Commission does not require Senate
confirmation. About EMPLOYERS DIRECT INSURANCE COMPANY
Employers Direct Insurance Company is California’s only specialty direct writer of workers’ compensation insurance. Founded in 2002, Employers Direct has been widely accepted by business owners throughout California as a result of providing highly competitive rates, claims services designed to fight fraud and abuse, and loss prevention services that assist employers to create safe work environments. As a newer company, Employers Direct is unburdened by legacy systems and takes advantage of the latest technology to provide its customers with 24/7 access to all policy and claims information via a secure Internet portal. Employers Direct is proud that a growing number of California’s best-run privately-held companies count themselves as policyholders. Niche industries include specialty supermarket chains, hotels, restaurants, golf and country clubs, new car dealers, food processors, manufacturing companies, and retailers. Visit Employers Direct online at www.employersdirect.com.
CONTACT:
Employers Direct Insurance Company
Debbie Laskey
Tel: 818.575.2709
dlaskey@employersdirect.com
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