Yellowstone actress accused of illegally collecting over $90,000 in disability benefits

Q'orianka Kilcher
(Image credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Q'Orianka Kilcher, an actress who appeared on the hit show Yellowstone, has been hit with workers' compensation insurance fraud charges.

The California Department of Insurance said that Kilcher, who played Angela Blue Thunder on Yellowstone, illegally collected over $90,000 in disability benefits that she shouldn't have received, as she was allegedly working on the Paramount Network series while claiming to be too injured to work.

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But Kilcher allegedly worked on Yellowstone from July to October of 2019, "despite her statements to the doctor that she had been unable to work for a year."

The case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, and Kilcher was arraigned on May 27. In a statement to The Associated Press, the actress' attorney denied the allegations, saying third-party doctors verified her injury and confirmed she was entitled to benefits.

"Ms. Kilcher was at all times candid with her doctors and treatment providers … and she never intentionally accepted benefits that she did not believe she was entitled to," the attorney said, adding she will "vigorously defend herself."

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.