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Lafourche- The Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud Unit arrested a Lafourche Parish Correctional Officer today after a warrant was obtained for theft, malfeasance in office, and insurance fraud.

Lafourche Parish Correctional Officer Heather Erwin’s arrest stemmed from a 6 month investigation by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud Unit. The investigation was launched in January of 2009 after Erwin was involved in a crash in a Sheriff’s Office vehicle on November 6, 2008.

After the crash, Erwin informed the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office she was not able to report for duty as she was in constant pain. In January of 2009, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office received information Erwin was participating in bowling leagues every Wednesday and Friday night. After receiving this information the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Division began an investigation and involved the LSP Insurance Fraud Unit. During this investigation Erwin was observed and videotaped as she bowled on several different occasions at two different bowling alleys.

According to Bowling League records, Erwin bowled on sixteen (16) occasions starting November 12, 2008 until April 15, 2009 at the Thunder Bowl for the Wednesday night league. Erwin bowled forty-eight (48) games during this time period. According to Bowling League records, Erwin bowled on eighteen (18) occasions starting on November 28, 2008 until April 24, 2009 at the Bowl South of Louisiana for the Friday night league. Erwin bowled fifty-four (54) games during this time period.

The investigation revealed Heather Lynn Erwin willingly, knowing, and intentionally committed the crimes of Theft, Malfeasance in Office and Insurance Fraud. She committed Theft by receiving pay under their department policy. She claimed that injuries sustained while performing her duties precluded her from participating in her normal duties without severe pain. Therefore, she was placed on medical leave as set forth by department policy. Erwin received benefits totaling over 20 thousand dollars. Erwin committed Malfeasance in Office by intentionally failing to perform any duty lawfully required of her, as such officer or employee. Erwin committed the crime of Insurance Fraud by filing a fraudulent claim (Workmen’s Compensation) and knowingly provided false statements during medical evaluations in support of the claim. Also, Erwin filed multiple claims (with Progressive and Farm Bureau) although she was pursuing a workmen’s compensation claim.

Erwin turned herself in during the morning hours on July 8, 2009 at the Lafourche Parish Detention Center on the charges listed above where she was booked and jailed.

Contact Information:
TFC Gilbert Dardar Jr.
Public Information Officer
Louisiana State Police - Troop C
Office: (985) 857-3683
Cell: (985) 855-0241
Gilbert.Dardar@dps.la.gov
WWW.LSP.ORG




NEWS RELEASE SGT. LESLEY HILL PETERS
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 (985) 449-4420, (985) 696-3008

DEPUTY’S ARREST RESULT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS PROBE

Sheriff Craig Webre reacted strongly following the arrest of Deputy Heather Erwin. “I am extremely disappointed in the actions of this employee & believe that anyone who occupies a position of public trust should be held to a higher standard. Stealing is intolerable and will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law,” said Webre.

Erwin (W/F, DOB 3/1/1975) turned herself in to Lt. JP deGravelles of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office and members of the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud Section at the Lafourche Parish Detention Center this morning. This morning’s arrest is the culmination of a six month long investigation by State Police that was spurred by an Internal Affairs Investigation begun by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office in January of this year.

Erwin has been employed as a Correctional Officer at the jail since June 8, 2005. On November 6, 2008, Erwin was involved in a traffic accident while transporting a prisoner to the Detention Center. The Sheriff’s Office unit she was driving was struck from behind. The prisoner being transported never complained of any injuries and the unit received scratches to the paint, but Erwin claimed she suffered an injury to her neck which was so severe she could not perform the simplest task such as sitting at a desk and answering a telephone. Erwin produced a medical excuse stating she was in too much pain to work. Since that time, Ms. Erwin collected salary and other monetary benefits.

On January 13, 2009, Lt. JP deGravelles of Internal Affairs received information that while Ms. Erwin was in too much pain to work, she apparently had no trouble bowling. Lt. deGravelles launched an internal investigation which included surveillance. The surveillance was conducted with hidden cameras and undercover personnel, capturing Ms. Erwin bowling on several different occasions. At this point Lt. deGravelles realized the administrative investigation was taking a turn towards a criminal investigation and informed Sheriff Webre of his findings. Sheriff Webre immediately requested that Louisiana State Police conduct that criminal investigation.

“We applaud the work done by Lt. deGravelles and State Police Investigators in uncovering Ms. Erwin’s fraudulent activities,” said Webre. “We also appreciate the people who saw what she was doing and had the conviction to take a stand against it.” Ms. Erwin’s employment with the Sheriff’s Office has been terminated.