Dancing hamster accused of disability fraud

A 27-year-old Los Angeles man who worked as a dancing hamster in a series of Kia car commercials has been arrested for alleged collecting state disability insurance benefits under false pretences.



Leroy Barnes was accused of deceiving his doctors about his employment status while he received disability benefits.

Barnes was struck by a piece of ceiling during a sound check in 2010 at a West Los Angeles studio while working as a dancer. From September 2010 to September 2011 Barnes received state disability insurance benefits totalling more than $51,000.


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Barnes allegedly stating falsely that he was not employed during the year he received state disability insurance. It was during this period of time that investigators said Barnes starred in a Kia car commercial playing the role of a dancing hamster.