Spring Valley Contractor Ordered to Pay $1M for Fraud

Daniela Birdwell, owner of GPS Plumbing, was ordered to pay over $1 million in restitution after pleading guilty to workers' compensation insurance premium fraud. The San Diego County District Attorney's investigation revealed significant discrepancies between the wages Birdwell reported to the Employment Development Department and those reported to the State Compensation Insurance Fund, resulting in millions of dollars in unreported payroll from June 2016 to May 2021. In addition to the restitution, Birdwell was sentenced to two years of probation and 320 hours of community service. District Attorney Summer Stephan emphasized that premium fraud not only breaks the law but also gives unfair advantages over competitors. The case highlights the broader issue of insurance fraud, which costs consumers an estimated $80 to $90 billion annually in the U.S. alone. Birdwell is required to pay $10,000 monthly until the restitution is fulfilled.