Kia’s ‘dancing hamster’ was fraudulently claiming disability benefits

Officers have evidence showing dancer was working and claiming workers compensations simultaneously.

Being a dancing hamster is a tough gig. Especially when you’re meant to be injured. Dancer Leroy Barnes has been accused of claiming workers compensation benefits when representing car maker Kia as one of its dancing hamsters.

The hamster period appears to have been a lucrative time for Mr Barnes. He not only starred in the Kia advert as one of the hamsters, the video of which you can see below, but he was also in a rap group and worked as backing dancer ‘Hypnosis’ for Madonna, Chris Brown and Kelly Rowland.

Insurance Commission Dave Jones said, “Fraudulently collecting disability benefits is not only illegal, it disrespects legitimately injured Californians who are unable to work.”

Barnes is out of jail on bail, pending a court hearing.

For more information on insurance injury fraud in the UK, in particular reference to motoring accident, you can check out our handy guide.