A former Monroe Correctional Complex corrections officer believed to now be living in Michigan has been charged in Snohomish County Superior Court with felony first-degree theft following a Washington Labor & Industries investigation that allegedly found he was fraudulently collecting workers' compensation disability payments.
John J. Gruden, 43, reportedly injured his right ankle and foot when someone fell on him during training at the MCC in May 2011. After moving to Arizona that August, L&I reports Gruden regularly declared he could not work due to his on-the-job injury, which, along with physician confirmations, allowed him to receive L&I payments amounting to more than $100,000 over the past five years to replace part of his wages.
In that time, L&I investigators reportedly found Gruden held down three security jobs while claiming workers' compensation. Gruden worked for a private security firm for eight months in 2011, then as a public safety aide for 2 1/2 years at Maricopa County Community College, where his annual salary was more than $34,600, according to L&I.
While still working at the college, L&I reports Gruden was a full-time police officer assistant/municipal security guard with the Phoenix Police Department from July 2014 to early 2016.
In 2014, an L&I claim manager requested surveillance to check on the extent of Gruden's abilities and injuries, according to a news release and again in 2015. Not only did L&I discover Gruden's undisclosed employment history, but also allegedly secured video of the former correction's officer jogging on a treadmill and sidewalk, as well as driving to work at the Phoenix Police Department, the release states.
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