L.A. firefighter arrested for fighting MMA bouts while on workman’s comp

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/l-firefighter-arrested-fighting-mma-bouts-while-workman-195359179.html
Los Angeles firefighter Raphael Davis was arrested for suspicion of insurance fraud after investigators noticed he competed in seven MMA bouts while out on workman's compensation. L.A. Weekly reported that he could see up to five years in jail if he is convicted.

Though officials did not release what sort of injuries kept Davis out of work, logic says it's unlikely that an injury that would keep him from the firehouse would allow him to fight. Davis, who has an overall record of 12-2, went 6-1 while on leave. Two of those fights were for M-1 and another two were for Bellator.

How did Davis not think he was going to be caught? Fights are uploaded to YouTube and other video sites all the time. Wins and losses from most pro events are reported to Sherdog for their invaluable Fight Finder database. It didn't take a great investigator to bust this case wide open. In fact, Brenda Walsh used pretty much the same methods on "Beverly Hills, 90210" when she found a woman suing her family for whiplash Jazzercising in her living room.

What an idiot..pretty good fighter though. Has some pretty good wins and choked out Vinny Magalhaes in MMA action.

http://mmajunkie.com/news/28499/raphael-davis-pleads-not-guilty-to-insurance-fraud-schedules-june-27-hearing.mma
Bellator Fighting Championships and M-1 Global veteran Raphael Davis (12-2) on Tuesday pleaded not guilty on four felony counts of insurance fraud.

The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office alleges that Davis, a firefighter, made false claims for workers' compensation between Dec. 2, 2008, and May 20, 2011.

Davis is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on June 27.

Davis fought seven times during the period in question, including three fights under the Bellator banner and two M-1 Challenge bouts. He stands accused of competing while trying to collect workers' compensation and could spend up to five years in jail, prosecutors said earlier this month.

Davis went 6-1 during that stretch while competing as a light heavyweight. He most recently fought on March 24, when he knocked out Berin Balijagic at a regional show in Switzerland.

The 35-year-old Davis was arrested on April 10 at his Lomita, Calif., home and held on $30,000 bail. Davis posted bond and was released the following day.

http://mmajunkie.com/news/30602/mma-fighter-raphael-davis-makes-plea-deal-on-fraudulent-workers-comp-claims.mma
MMA fighter Raphael Davis (12-2) struck a plea deal with the Los Angeles District Attorney's office that likely will spare him of serious charges following his arrest for filing fraudulent worker's compensation claims.

Davis paid back $30,000 he earned while on disability as a city firefighter and agreed to complete 200 hours of community service as part of the deal, a spokesperson for the DA's office today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

The DA's office will ask the court to dismiss three felony counts of filing false worker's comp claims and reduce another to a misdemeanor when Davis returns to court on March 6, the spokesperson said.

Davis' rep at Paradigm Sports Management today announced the plea deal. The Bellator and IFL veteran was arrested in April on suspicion of insurance fraud. He faced five years in prison if convicted.

Davis fought seven times while claiming disability, earning a 6-1 record – including three appearances under the Bellator banner.

"Mr. Davis has served honorably with the Los Angeles Fire Department for over eight years," stated manager Ryan Buescher. "During the course of his employment, he sustained verified and documented injuries while serving the city of Los Angeles. Due to those on-duty injuries, Mr. Davis required not only medical attention and doctor’s visits, but underwent various surgeries as well. Due to the extent of these injuries, he was forced to take time off from his employment with the city.

"It was during this time off that Mr. Davis attempted to continue his training and competing in the sport that he loves, mixed martial arts. Due to the status the doctor put him on, he was not to work or perform any activities that were inconsistent with the doctor’s restrictions. Mr. Davis believed, at the time, that as long as he could perform and maintain a certain training regimen and did not exacerbate his injuries, that that complied with his doctor's orders.

"Mr. Davis now realizes that competing in MMA events was outside the scope of his doctor’s orders. He has admitted to that mistake and has accepted responsibility accordingly."

Davis last fought in March, earning a second-round TKO win over Berin Balijagic in Geneva, Switzerland. That gave him two straight wins after a second-round knockout of Myron Dennis at Bellator 53.

After starting his pro career 1-1, Davis ran off nine straight wins before a third-round TKO at the hands of D.J. Linderman at Bellator 38. His nine-fight stretch included a submission win over UFC fighter and "TUF 8" runner-up Vinny Magalhaes.