(Rocky Hill, CT) – A New Haven man has been arrested and charged with illegally collecting workers’ compensation benefits while being employed as a campus police officer at the Yale University Police Department.
Warren Palmer, age 59, of New Haven, was arrested on July 30, 2026 by Inspectors from the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney on a warrant charging him with one count each of Perjury, in violation of Connecticut General Statues § 53a-156, Larceny in the First Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statues § 53a-122 (a)(2), and Fraudulent Claim or Receipt of Benefits in violation of Connecticut General Statues § 31-290c (a)(1). Palmer is accused of receiving indemnity payments totaling $38,655.94 that he was not entitled to.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, in November 2025, Palmer reported suffering injuries to his ribs and abdomen while performing martial arts training at the police department’s training center. Palmer was subsequently placed on Temporary Total Disability (TTD) by his treating providers. TTD is a wage replacement benefit paid by the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier while the claimant is unable to perform any type of work due to a work-related injury or illness. Palmer was later placed on Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) and began receiving TPD and benefits from the State of Connecticut. TPD benefits are wage replacement monies for those who qualify under the program. During that period of benefits, the recipient is considered to have limited work capacity and must inform the employer of any improvements in their injuries. They also are required to report any income beyond the benefits provided. Palmer received indemnity payments totaling $38,655.94 he was not entitled to. Documentation showed that while receiving payments, he exceeded the physical restrictions set forth by his treating physicians and that he could have returned to full duty work capacity.
Palmer surrendered himself at the Rocky Hill Police Department. He was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond. His next scheduled court date in Superior Court in New Haven, Geographical Area No. 23, is September 29, 2026.
The case will be prosecuted by the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney in Rocky Hill. The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.