CrimeCrimeAdvertising

'Kia Hamster' Dancer Leroy Barnes Charged With Disability Fraud In Los Angeles

'Kia Hamster' Charged With Fraud
Open Image Modal
By 

Overnight Editor, HuffPost

|

The actor who portrays one of the dancing hamsters in a series of Kia car commercials has been arrested and charged with disability fraud.

Leroy Barnes, 27, collected more than $51,000 in disability benefits over the course of a year starting in September 2010 after being injured while working as a dancer for John Cossette Productions, the California Department of Insurance said in a news release. He was reportedly hurt during a soundcheck when a piece of ceiling fell on him in June 2010.

But the agency says Barnes was working while he collected these benefits. His work included dancing as a hamster in a Kia car commercial.

In addition, he's accused of performing under the alias MoWii in a rap group called The Rej3ctz, assisting in recording the song "Cat Daddy," and working as a backup dancer for Madonna, Kelly Rowland, and Chris Brown under the name Hypnosis while collecting disability.

"Fraudulently collecting disability benefits is not only illegal, it disrespects legitimately injured Californians who are unable to work," Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said in the release.

CBS News reports that Barnes was arrested in Los Angeles on March 20, 2014, during a traffic stop and released the following day on $50,000 bail.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Bad Choices
Bad Process Server(01 of19)
Open Image Modal
According to Mitch Zarskey, of Piney Point Village, Texas, his surveillance cameras captured a process server urinating in his driveway on Sept. 29, 2013.Watch the video here:www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/03/mitch-zarskey-process-server_n_4038044.html (credit:Mitch Zarskey)
Man Returns Used Enemas(02 of19)
Open Image Modal
Federal prosecutors say Ronald Robinson returned used enemas to a pharmacy in Jacksonville, Fla. The products were resold to customers before workers discovered they had been tampered with. Robinson could be imprisoned for 10 years if convicted. (credit:Florida Department of Corrections)
Illicit Manatee Riding(03 of19)
Open Image Modal
This unidentified woman may have had a great time catching a ride on the back of a manatee in Florida, but, unfortunately, it's a misdemeanor in violation of the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act.Read the whole story here.
Alleged Violent Naked Pooping Masturbator(04 of19)
Open Image Modal
Gregory Matthew Bruni, 21, is accused of getting naked and climbing onto a couple's roof, then assaulting one of the homeowners before pooping and masturbating inside the house.Read the whole story here. (credit:Facebook)
Brandi Lynn Stuntebeck(05 of19)
Open Image Modal
Stuntebeck, 31, allegedly attempted to flee after crashing into the back of another car in Ohio. The driver of that car, Donald Brownlee, followed her, leading Stuntebeck to pull over. But when he leaned through her passenger window, she drove off again dragging him for nearly a mile, according to police. He eventually fell and the car ran over his ankle. (credit:Hamilton County Sheriff)
Tracy McDonald(06 of19)
Open Image Modal
When McDonald was accused by Seattle police of flashing a woman while masturbating in a park, he told authorities he was just getting "some sun." (credit:Snohomish County Sheriff's Office)
Shelby Figueroa(07 of19)
Open Image Modal
After ramming into a deputy's patrol vehicle, this 18-year-old was handcuffed and thrown into the back seat.But not for long.She allegedly managed to escape from the cuffs, get into the driver's seat, and lead authorities on a chase that lasted a half hour and reached speeds up to 100 mph before the stolen SUV went off the road and flipped over.Read the whole story here. (credit:KUSA-TV)
William H. Masters III(08 of19)
Open Image Modal
This undated photo provided by the Huron County Sheriff shows William Howell Masters III, 60, of South Hampton, N.Y. Masters, the son of sex research pioneer Dr. William H. Masters, has been charged with exposing himself to a sheriff's deputy and another woman who were posing as recreational kayakers as part of a sting operation on a Michigan river. Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson says a completely nude Masters yelled for the women's attention Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, then made obscene gestures. (AP Photo/Huron County Sheriff) (credit:AP/Huron County Sheriff)
'Rules 2 Da game of Hoez!!!'(09 of19)
Open Image Modal
Sandra Russell and Steve McDaniel allegedly had a list of pimp game rules with them when they were arrested on charges of drugs and prostitution.READ THIS LIST. (credit:Suffolk County Sheriff)
Tracey Smith(10 of19)
Open Image Modal
This budding martial artist allegedly told deputies she was the "Karate Kid" before biting and slapping them
Dajuan Porter(11 of19)
Open Image Modal
A DJ allegedly broke into the homes of men he saw at clubs and parties and performed oral sex on them as they slept, according to police in Pennsylvania. Harrisburg police said that Dajuan Porter, 27, stalked three men and sexually assaulted them in their homes, according to WHP-TV. (credit:Harrisburg Police Dept. )
James Crittenden(12 of19)
Open Image Modal
He allegedly lit a toilet on fire at a gas station. For religious reasons. After huffing 10 cans of Reddi-wip. Because the U.S. Constitution says he can. 'Nuff said. (credit:LMDC)
William Bonner(13 of19)
Open Image Modal
Why is this man's head on fire? Because he lit it on fire. Bonner allegedly bet his bar buddies that he could pour a shot of 151 on his head and light the alcohol. And he did. Great job! (credit:WJBF)
Ilyass Nabih and Thony Sengsoulya(14 of19)
Open Image Modal
Ilyass Nabih and Thony Sengsoulya, both of Nashua, New Hampshire, were arrested on drug charges in June 2012 after authorities spotted them allegedly trying to shoot up heroin while parked outside the Lawrence Police Station in Massachusetts. (credit:Lawrence Police Department)
Vladimir Mishkov(15 of19)
Open Image Modal
Mishkov is accused of masturbating in front of a jail employee on his way to court to face a previous flashing charge. (credit:Courtesy of King County Sheriff's Office)
Ray Woods(16 of19)
Open Image Modal
Ray Woods allegedly tied 89 bags of heroin and cocaine to his penis. When cops found him out, he reportedly urinated all over himself. Read more.
Andrew Toothman(17 of19)
Open Image Modal
He had a real sweet tooth. Cops say they found 22-year-old Andrew Toothman lying down inside Kentucky Food World IGA market on Feb. 2, completely covered in chocolate and peanut butter. He'd also allegedly written "Sorry" in NyQuil on the floor. Read more here. (credit:Letcher County Jail)
Timothy Paul Shelby(18 of19)
Open Image Modal
Shelby, 53, was arrested in South Florida on June 1, 2012 for driving without a license -- immediately after leaving a courthouse after he appeared for the same offense.
Levon Davis(19 of19)
Open Image Modal
Levon Davis used a picture of his girlfriend for target practice with his rifle. That's not illegal -- but it is against the law to accidentally shoot that bullet into your neighbor's house. He was charged with negligent use of a firearm. (credit:Stockton Police)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip