A Sunland interior designer pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud this week after he had claimed disability to the tune of more than $147,000 and an insurance company worker happened to catch the man on television — working.

Ronald E. Hunt, 56 continued working as a designer even as he claimed to be unable to work. But an employee with an insurance company paying his disability claim spotted him on an HGTV home improvement show and told the California Department of Insurance.

“An investigation confirmed Hunt intentionally and knowingly concealed his secondary employment from his disability insurance company by falsifying written statements and deceiving a company field representative,” reads a California Franchise Tax Board statement.

Officials say Hunt earned more than $400,000 during the three years or so he was on disability. They say he also evaded income tax during that time.

Hunt was ordered to pay $180,000 in fines and restitution. The man was ordered to serve 60 months of probation and do 200 hours of community service.

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