Suspect Posts Bail in Perjury Case

A 61-year-old Oxnard woman plans to plead innocent to charges that she perjured herself and illegally received workers’ compensation benefits, a defense lawyer said Friday.

“My client has done nothing wrong,� said David Follin, attorney for Esther Lopez.

Lopez was indicted on felony perjury charges earlier this week by the Ventura County Grand Jury. She was taken into custody Wednesday after Ventura County Superior Court Judge Steven Perren issued a warrant for her arrest. She has since posted $5,000 bail.

According to Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Terence Kilbride, the grand jury indictment hinged largely on an insurance detective’s videotape.

“She was caught on the videotape moving dresser drawers,� Kilbride said. But in a later sworn deposition, Lopez denied lifting anything in April 1996 when she moved, according to Kilbride.

Lopez had been employed at Child Development Inc. in Oxnard, Kilbride said. She injured her shoulder lifting a heavy pot and began receiving workers’ compensation benefits from her $6.75-an-hour job in July 1995.

After a recovery period, she was cleared by doctors to resume work, the prosecutor said. However, Lopez maintained that she couldn’t because she was still hurting, Kilbride said. She continued to receive benefits until June 1996.

Lopez is scheduled to enter a plea Feb. 4. If convicted of felony perjury, she could face a maximum sentence of four years in prison.