EVERETT — A former Monroe corrections officer pleaded guilty Friday to first-degree theft, a felony.
John J. Gruden, 44, admitted to working jobs in another state while collecting Washington disability checks. He had claimed his injuries, sustained in Monroe, prevented him from working.
Gruden was sentenced to one week in the Snohomish County Jail. He was taken into custody Friday. Upon his release, he must spend another 38 days on house arrest where he currently lives in Michigan.
The sentence was recommended by prosecutors and the defense. Gruden, who had no criminal history, also agreed to pay $100,544 in restitution.
“He appears to have accepted responsibility,” said Rick Weber, who prosecutes workers compensation fraud for the state Attorney General’s Office.
Gruden injured his ankle and foot during a training session at the prison in 2011, according to the state Department of Labor and Industries. He told L&I he had difficulty walking. While receiving disability, he was observed jogging and working as a security guard in Arizona.
Gruden declined to speak in court Friday.
Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Ellen Fair noted that for most of his life, Gruden was a contributing member of society. That made his crime “surprising,” she said.
“The restitution is substantial,” she said.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.
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