The Region - News from March 25, 1987

Linda Yvonne Thompson of Los Angeles became the first publicly named target in a major investigation of allegedly phony injury claims involving Southern California Rapid Transit District bus accidents. In a prepared statement, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said Thompson is a suspect in the ongoing RTD case, which investigators have said may have included payments to attorneys and doctors for victims who do not exist. Thompson is a former claims adjuster at Leonard J. Russo Insurance Services Inc., which handles injury claims against the transit agency. Thompson is facing charges of conspiracy and auto insurance fraud in a separate case and has pleaded not guilty.