Latest news with #NicoleBrown
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Celebration of new StoryWalk installation slated at park
The nonprofit agency One Joplin invites residents to attend a ribbon-cutting celebrating the latest StoryWalk installation at Leonard Park. The event will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 5, at the city park at 408 Turk Ave. This new installation features the children's book "The Mighty McKraken," by local author Isaiah Basey, known as Izzy B. The story combines whimsical pirate adventures with a message about kindness and manners. The project is made possible through a collaborative partnership between One Joplin, OWN INC. and Joplin Parks and Recreation. This partnership reflects a growing commitment within the community to promote early childhood literacy, support local creatives and provide outdoor experiences for families. "We are grateful for community-minded businesses like OWN Engineering that are willing to invest in educational initiatives," said Nicole Brown, executive director of One Joplin. "The StoryWalk at Leonard Park is a wonderful way for families to connect, enjoy nature and encourage a love of reading in their children." Jessica Pommert, co-chair of the One Joplin Education and Literacy Team, expressed enthusiasm about presenting a story by a local author. "We were thrilled to highlight a story from one of our own. Izzy B's 'The Mighty McKraken' brings laughter and learning to life — who knew pirates could be such good role models for manners?" The StoryWalk will remain in place at Leonard Park through August for families to visit the interactive reading experience. For those interested in more literary outdoor adventures, another StoryWalk is available at the Joplin Public Library. Christina Matekel-Gibson, co-chair of the One Joplin Education and Literacy Team, and the children's librarian at the library, said, "Our goal is to create a rotating collection of StoryWalks that can be enjoyed throughout the community year-round. We're also exploring opportunities to establish additional permanent installations in other parks and public spaces." One Joplin continues to drive initiatives that address community needs in education, literacy, health and poverty by fostering partnerships and collective action. The StoryWalk program exemplifies this mission, offering a fun and meaningful way for families to engage in literacy activities together. "This is our second StoryWalk installation of the year, and we're thrilled to bring a new reason for families to get outside and explore the beauty of Leonard Park,' Brown added. "This project embodies what can be accomplished when organizations work together to strengthen our community." The StoryWalk Project was originally created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. It has since become a national movement to bring literacy into everyday outdoor spaces. For more information about One Joplin and ongoing community literacy efforts, visit or contact Nicole Brown at director@ or 417-726-9123.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police officer partying at festival while collecting $600K for fake injury, officials say
A police officer who was caught partying at a music festival has been charged with fraud. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Orange County District Attorney's office in California says Nicole Brown, 39, is accused of stealing $600,000 in fraudulent workers' compensation payments, according to a spokesperson. TRENDING STORIES: Water main break closes part of busy Greene County street Founding member of popular Dayton band feared dead in California plane crash 4 inmates escape minimum security facility in Ohio, deputies say She claimed to have suffered a head injury during an arrest that prevented her from working. Prosecutors say Brown was seen drinking and driving at the Stagecoach Music Festival, the spokesperson said. They said that during that time, she was collecting payments, Brown also went skiing, ran a 5K, and went to Disneyland. Brown has been charged with 15 felonies. If convicted on all counts, she faces as much as 22 years in prison. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Straits Times
An officer said she was disabled but prosecutors said she ran, skied and danced
Nicole Brown, who worked for the Westminster Police Department, was charged with 15 felonies related to workers' compensation insurance fraud. PHOTO: WESTMINSTER PDCA/X An officer said she was disabled but prosecutors said she ran, skied and danced CALIFORNIA - Nicole Brown, a police officer in Orange County, California, told her bosses in 2022 that she could no longer perform her duties after she sustained a head injury on the job. But according to prosecutors, whatever had happened to her didn't prevent her from running in road races, skiing or snowboarding, and dancing at a music festival while she illegally collected more than US$600,000 (S$775,000) in workers' compensation. This week, Brown, 39, who worked for the Westminster Police Department, was charged with 15 felonies related to workers' compensation insurance fraud, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Her stepfather, Peter Gregory Schuman, 57, of Buena Park, California, was charged with two felonies charging him with conspiring with Brown. He is a lawyer who specialises in defending employers and insurance companies against workers' compensation claims. Brown was charged with nine felony counts of making a fraudulent statement to obtain compensation; six felony counts of making a fraudulent insurance benefit claim; and one felony enhancement of committing an aggravated white-collar crime worth over $100,000, court records show. Her lawyer, Mr Brian Gurwitz, said on May 22 that Brown's on-duty injury 'continues to cause her severe limitations in her daily life'. 'She intends to defend against these charges vigorously in court,' he said. Schuman was charged with one felony count of making a fraudulent insurance benefit claim and one felony count of assisting, abetting, conspiring with and soliciting a person in unlawful act, records show. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer, and he did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment. Brown was sworn in as a police officer in early 2019. About three years later, in March 2022, she suffered a 'minor abrasion to her forehead while attempting to arrest and handcuff an uncooperative suspect,' prosecutors said. She complained to her commander that she had a headache and was feeling dizzy, but an emergency room doctor who examined her that day released her and said that she could return to work without restrictions, prosecutors said. After she called out sick for several days, they added, Brown was given a diagnosis of severe concussion syndrome and placed on temporary disability leave. An investigation by the district attorney's office found that three days after the injury, in March 2022, when Brown – who volunteered as a youth soccer coach – had called out sick, she went to an American Youth Soccer Organisation conference in San Diego. Prosectors noted that she had attended multiple sessions that featured PowerPoint presentations. While she was out for the next year, prosecutors said, Brown fraudulently collected the compensation payments from the city. That included her full salary, which was tax-free, and all medical expenses. During her leave, Brown said that it was physically impossible for her to do her work because of headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and noise, an inability to work on a screen, and problems processing thoughts and words, according to prosecutors. But several people who knew she was on disability leave spotted her dancing and drinking on April 29, 2023, at the Stagecoach Music Festival, a country music celebration, prosecutors said. The festival, held in the Coachella Valley in the Colorado Desert region of Southern California, attracted about 75,000 people. It was a carnival-type atmosphere with plenty of loud music and bright lights, and temperatures hovering close to or above 100 deg Fahrenheit (37.7 deg C), prosecutors said. Someone reported the fact that she had attended the festival to the Westminster Police Department. It referred the matter to the district attorney's office, which opened the investigation. When Brown took part in a Police Department Zoom meeting three days after the festival to discuss what duties she could perform as a police officer, she said that she was unable to look at the screen, prosecutors said, adding that Schuman was also on the call to speak on her behalf. Schuman said in the meeting that Brown could not to do paperwork and that he was uncertain that she could handle phone calls because of her inability to process words or thoughts, authorities said. Later, Brown was admitted to an inpatient center for individuals who have a traumatic brain injury, they said. The inquiry into Brown also found that while out on disability, she ran in two 5km races and went snowboarding or skiing in Big Bear and Mammoth, two popular Southern California ski resorts, prosecutors said. She also is accused of going to more youth soccer conferences, attending baseball games, playing golf, visiting Disneyland and taking online courses, according to the investigation. Brown could face up to 22 years in prison and a loss of some of her pension if convicted of all charges. Schuman could face up to eight years in state prison and could be disciplined by the State Bar of California if convicted. NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New York Times
22-05-2025
- New York Times
An Officer Said She Was Disabled. Prosecutors Said She Ran, Skied and Danced.
Nicole Brown, a police officer in Orange County, Calif., told her bosses in 2022 that she could no longer perform her duties after she sustained a head injury on the job. But according to prosecutors, whatever had happened to her didn't prevent her from running in road races, skiing or snowboarding, and dancing at a music festival while she illegally collected more than $600,000 in workers' compensation. This week, Ms. Brown, 39, who worked for the Westminster Police Department, was charged with 15 felonies related to workers' compensation insurance fraud, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Her stepfather, Peter Gregory Schuman, 57, of Buena Park, Calif., was charged with two felonies charging him with conspiring with Ms. Brown. He is a lawyer who specializes in defending employers and insurance companies against workers' compensation claims. Ms Brown was charged with nine felony counts of making a fraudulent statement to obtain compensation; six felony counts of making a fraudulent insurance benefit claim; and one felony enhancement of committing an aggravated white-collar crime worth over $100,000, court records show. Her lawyer, Brian Gurwitz, said on Thursday that Ms. Brown's on-duty injury 'continues to cause her severe limitations in her daily life.' 'She intends to defend against these charges vigorously in court,' he said. Mr. Schuman was charged with one felony count of making a fraudulent insurance benefit claim and one felony count of assisting, abetting, conspiring with and soliciting a person in unlawful act, records show. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer and he did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment. Ms. Brown was sworn in as a police officer in early 2019. About three years later, in March, 2022, she suffered a 'minor abrasion to her forehead while attempting to arrest and handcuff an uncooperative suspect,' prosecutors said. She complained to her commander that she had a headache and was feeling dizzy, but an emergency room doctor who examined her that day released her and said that she could return to work without restrictions, prosecutors said. After she called out sick for several days, they added, Ms. Brown was given a diagnosis of severe concussion syndrome and placed on temporary disability leave. An investigation by the district attorney's office found that three days after the injury, in March 2022, when Ms. Brown — who volunteered as a youth soccer coach — had called out sick, she went to an American Youth Soccer Organization conference, in San Diego. Prosectors noted that she had attended multiple sessions that featured PowerPoint presentations. While she was out for the next year, prosecutors said, Ms. Brown fraudulently collected the compensation payments from the city. That included her full salary, which was tax-free, and all medical expenses. During her leave, Ms. Brown said that it was physically impossible for her to do her work because of headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and noise, an inability to work on a screen, and problems processing thoughts and words, according to prosecutors. But several people who knew she was on disability leave spotted her dancing and drinking on April 29, 2023, at the Stagecoach Music Festival, a country music celebration, prosecutors said. The festival, held in the Coachella Valley in the Colorado Desert region of Southern California, attracted about 75,000 people. It was a carnival-type atmosphere with plenty of loud music and bright lights, and temperatures hovering close to, or above, 100 degrees, prosecutors said. Someone reported the fact that she had attended the festival to the Westminster Police Department. It referred the matter to the district attorney's office, which opened the investigation. When Ms. Brown took part in a Police Department Zoom meeting three days after the festival to discuss what duties she could perform as a police officer, she said that she was unable to look at the screen, prosecutors said, adding that Mr. Schuman was also on the call to speak on her behalf. Mr. Schuman said in the meeting that Ms. Brown could not to do paperwork, and that he was uncertain that she could handle phone calls because of her inability to process words or thoughts, the authorities said. Later, Ms. Brown was admitted to an inpatient center for individuals who have a traumatic brain injury, they said. The inquiry into Ms. Brown also found that while out on disability, she ran in two five-kilometer races, and went snowboarding or skiing in Big Bear and Mammoth, two popular Southern California ski resorts, prosecutors said. She also is accused of going to more youth soccer conferences, attending baseball games, playing golf, visiting Disneyland and taking online courses, according to the investigation. Ms. Brown could up to 22 years in prison and a loss of some of her pension if convicted of all charges. Mr. Schuman could face up to eight years in state prison and could be disciplined by the State Bar of California if convicted.
Toronto Sun
22-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
California cop accused of partying at music fest while faking head injury
Former California police officer Nicole Brown is facing 15 felony counts of fraud. Photo by @WestminsterPDCA / X A former police officer in California faces numerous felony charges after authorities accused her of faking a head injury. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Orange County District Attorney's Office said in a statement on Tuesday that 39-year-old Nicole Brown, formerly of the Westminster Police Department, is accused of stealing more than $600,000 in fraudulent workers' compensation payments. Prosecutors allege she was caught dancing and drinking at the Stagecoach country music festival, skiing, running long distance races, and going to Disneyland while claiming to be disabled due to a head injury she claimed she suffered while placing a suspect in handcuffs. Brown is charged with nine felony counts of making a fraudulent statement to obtain compensation, six felony counts of making a fraudulent insurance benefit claim, and one felony enhancement of committing an aggravated white collar crime over $100,000. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Meet Officer Nicole Brown 🚔 Officer Brown's advice to women and young girls is 'Reflect, accept and learn from all situations. A person's differences can be utilized to accomplish tasks and challenges that at one time seemed impossible.'#IWD2021 #womenshistorymonth #WPD47 — Westminster Police Department (CA) (@WestminsterPDCA) April 1, 2021 If convicted of all charges, she faces up to 22 years in state prison. In addition, the former cop's 57-year-old stepfather Peter Gregory Schuman is also charged with two felonies for allegedly conspiring with his stepdaughter to orchestrate the fraudulent workers' compensation scheme. Authorities said Schuman is a licensed attorney who practices workers' compensation defence on behalf of insurance companies. He faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison if convicted on both charges. Brown was employed as a police officer with the Westminster Police Department on March 21, 2022, when she suffered 'a minor abrasion to her forehead' while trying to arrest an uncooperative suspect, the DA's office said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'She complained to her watch commander that she had a headache and was feeling dizzy, but an emergency room doctor who examined her that same day released her back to work without restrictions,' authorities said. However, after calling in sick for several shifts, Brown was diagnosed with severe concussion syndrome and placed on Total Temporary Disability nine days later. While not on the job, police said Brown cost the city of Westminster more than $600,000, which covered her full salary and medical expenses. She complained of 'headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and noise, problems processing thoughts and words, and an inability to work on the computer or do any screentime.' Read More This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Despite reporting those symptoms, Brown was seen by several people who knew she was off work on disability as she was dancing and drinking at the Stagecoach Music Festival on April 23, 2023, the district attorney alleged. Her alleged attendance at the music festival was reported to the police department, who forwarded the case to the district attorney for an investigation into potential workers' compensation fraud. Investigators allege Brown, while on disability, attended a soccer conference in San Diego, ran in two 5K races, went snowboarding and/or skiing, attended baseball games, played golf, went to Disneyland, and took online courses with a local university. Toronto Maple Leafs Tennis Editorial Cartoons World Sports
