San Rafael, CA – On September 18, Novato residents Carmen Hall Soruco and Antonio Soruco, owners of Novato construction company Soruco Structures, appeared for arraignment in Marin County Superior Court on a six-count felony complaint. The complaint alleges that the Sorucos engaged in workers' compensation premium fraud from October 2013 to December 2016 and that they failed to report wages and withhold state income taxes from their employees from October 2013 to February 2019.
The Sorucos deferred arraignment to October 16, 2020, and were permitted to remain on their own recognizance on the condition that they do not leave the state of California without court approval, appear for a booking with the Marin County Sheriff's Office, and not engage in contracting or construction activities without first notifying the Marin County District Attorney's Office Insurance Fraud Unit.
Failure to adequately insure employees against workplace injuries not only puts workers at risk but creates an unfair advantage in the marketplace for businesses who cut corners to increase profits. The identification, investigation and prosecution of workers' compensation premium fraud remains a priority for the Marin County District Attorney's Office. Suspected workers' compensation fraud can be reported directly to the Marin County District Attorney's Office at insurancefraud@marincounty.org.
The charges in this case are the result of an investigation by the California Department of Insurance with assistance from the Marin DA Insurance Fraud Unit.