Actor who played dancing hamster in Kia commercials charged with California disability fraud
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A man who played a dancing hamster in Kia car commercials and was a backup dancer for Madonna has been charged with California disability fraud.
The California Department of Insurance says 27-year-old Leroy Barnes of Los Angeles collected $51,000 in workers compensation benefits in 2010 and 2011. Barnes claimed he was disabled when a piece of ceiling fell on him.
But the department says he made at least one Kia commercial, performed in a rap group, assisted in recording the song "Cat Daddy," and was a backup dancer for Madonna, Kelly Rowland and Chris Brown.
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Barnes was arrested last month and is free on bail. He couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.
Insurance department spokeswoman Nancy Kincaid said she didn't know if he had a lawyer.