A 44-year-old federal fraud investigator from Ogden has been indicted on charges that she misrepresented ongoing symptoms from a work-related concussion to collect more than $50,000 in workers' compensation while hiking more than 50 miles through Italy's Dolomite mountains. Michelle L. Bouziden served as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, the very unit tasked with rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse across the agency's operations.
The allegations against Bouziden are described in a U.S. Department of Justice press release. The press release alleges she falsely reported total disability while taking a trip to Italy. Bouziden served as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, the very unit tasked with rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse across the agency's operations.
According to ABC4 Utah, Bouziden suffered a concussion on the job in March 2026. By mid-May, she began falsely reporting ongoing symptoms she claimed left her totally disabled and unable to work, filing with the Department of Labor Office of Workers' Compensation Programs on May 14 to obtain disability pay. She reportedly claimed she was unable to engage in arduous physical activity or cognitive reasoning, and said she could not sit, walk, stand, twist, bend, squat, kneel, climb, or operate a motor vehicle.
A Transatlantic Flight the Same Day as Her Disability Filing
The same day she submitted documents indicating she could not return to work, Bouziden allegedly flew to Italy to hike the Dolomites, the outlet reported. She reportedly spent two weeks there, covering more than 50 miles on foot and sharing her hiking experience on social media even as she continued collecting benefits back home.
Investigators also allege Bouziden canceled a Department of Labor appointment for a mandatory second-opinion medical evaluation, reportedly claiming the appointment conflicted with a wellness retreat. In total, she is accused of claiming $51,571.73 in disability compensation. Federal regulations governing the Federal Employees' Compensation Act, specifically 20 CFR § 10.17, mandate that anyone convicted of defrauding the government in connection with a benefit claim immediately forfeits all future entitlement to workers' compensation as of the conviction date, according to the Legal Information Institute.
Prosecutors Call It an Affront to Federal Workers
Bouziden was indicted on charges of wire fraud, false reports for federal workers' compensation benefits, obstruction of federal department and agency proceedings, and theft of government property, per the U.S. Attorney's Office. U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak said the alleged fraud cheats taxpayers and affronts hardworking federal employees. Luisa Gough is prosecuting the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah.
Trial Set for Late November in Salt Lake City
A four-day jury trial has been scheduled for November 30 at the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City. That courthouse, the Orrin G. Hatch United States Courthouse, opened downtown in April 2014 and is a 10-story facility that houses the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, per Wikipedia.
Holyoak's office directing the prosecution is itself relatively new to the post; she previously served as a Federal Trade Commission Commissioner and Solicitor General of Utah.
The charges against Bouziden remain allegations only, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. It remains unclear whether she has entered a plea, whether she remains employed or is on administrative leave from USDA-OIG, or what defense arguments or medical documentation her legal counsel may present before the trial begins.
