EL CAJON, Calif. -- A Ramona gas station owner already charged in the fire-related death of an employee, who had allegedly agreed to burn down the defendant's Mount Woodson rental house, faces a new felony count of workers' compensation fraud, a prosecutor said.

James Anthony Kurtenbach is now charged with 11 felonies stemming from the Oct. 31 blaze that killed 24-year-old Joseph Nesheiwat and destroyed a 4,000-square-foot house on Mount Woodson Drive.

Investigators determined the blaze was intentionally set and that Nesheiwat died during commission of the crime.

The prosecution alleges that Nesheiwat had previously rejected Kurtenbach's request to burn down the house, but reluctantly agreed because he owed his boss money.

Kurtenbach was previously charged with second-degree murder, arson causing great bodily injury and arson for financial gain, among other counts.

The new charge alleges the defendant falsified information in order to reduce payments for workers' compensation premiums, Deputy District Attorney Fiona Khalil said.

He was already charged with misdemeanor failure to acquire workers' compensation insurance.

Kurtenbach's attorney has previously characterized Nesheiwat's death as a terrible accident.

Kurtenbach, who lives in Poway with his second wife, operated Stars Petroleum gas station for seven years.

County records show that he owed $16,600 in back taxes on the destroyed house at the time of the fire, according to the prosecution.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 27.