CEO Of Largest Vocational School and Alleged Co-Conspirators Charged in Scheme That Drained Injured Workers’ Education Benefits
LOS ANGELES — CEO of one of California’s largest vocational return to work counseling centers, Hazel Ortega, 54, of La Habra, and alleged co-conspirators Gemi Bertran, 54, and Elbert Irving, 41, have been arraigned on 31 felony counts for allegedly orchestrating a kickback and forgery scheme that drained injured workers’ educational benefits for personal profit.
A California Department of Insurance investigation found the defendants allegedly forged injured workers’ signatures, submitted fabricated enrollment documents, and diverted thousands of dollars in education benefits meant to help injured workers retrain and re-enter the workforce.
Read the entire press release. California Department of Insurance, February 23, 2026
NICB assisted the investigation.