The suspect said in a deposition he had to use a cane and wear a knee brace. Video surveillance showed otherwise. A man in the video removed his leg brace right after leaving the Pinellas County Courthouse. In another case, a transportation department worker in Jupiter is accused of having a buddy crash into a pay phone near a state toll plaza in a rented truck. The state worker claimed he was in the booth at the time and injured his lower back.
Investigators say the accident was staged to collect damages from a lawsuit.
In still another case, a maintenance mechanic for the University of Florida claimed he injured his lower back while lifting some panels in 1992. Video surveillance has revealed the suspect actually was employed elsewhere while supposedly unable to work. A list of all those charged in the second phase of Operation Stop Payment can be obtained via facsimile by calling Capt.