Tehama County correctional deputy fraud case dismissed

Julie R. Johnson, Corning Observer, Calif.
·1 min read

A former Tehama County sheriff’s correctional deputy accused of workers’ compensation fraud in excess of $500,000 was not held over for trial and the case dismissed during her preliminary hearing in Tehama County Superior Court earlier this month.

Yvette Bline Fortier, 59, of Red Bluff was arrested Aug. 30 and booked into the Tehama County Jail on suspicion of two felony counts of workers compensation fraud. Bail was set at $250,000 with a source of bail condition in place. She was under supervision by the Tehama County Probation Office through her last court appearance.

The investigation started in early 2023 when the sheriff’s office received information concerning Bline’s suspicious workers compensation activities, the sheriff’s office reported.

Forwarded to the Tehama County District Attorney’s Office, the investigation continued in cooperation between the two offices for several months, including surveillance of Bline’s activities and warrants served for her medical records.

Video of that surveillance was shared by the Tehama County District Attorney’s Office during the preliminary hearing, as was other alleged evidence.

Tehama County Superior Court Judge Laura Wood presiding over the hearing determined the evidence was insufficient to hold Bline over for trial.

It is alleged Bline committed the unsubstantiated fraud dating back several years.

Tehama County District Attorney Matt Rogers said his office is evaluating options as they move forward on the case.

Funding for the investigation came through the California Department of Insurance for investigation concerning workers compensation fraud.