focusfraud Volume 19, Number 3 October 2012 Other Lines Insurance Fraud Multi-Lines Insurance Hyannis Man Indicted for Alleged Insurance Scams Barnstable On August 17, 2012 John P. Jasset was indicted in Barnstable Superior Court on four counts of larceny, sixteen counts of insurance fraud, six counts of motor vehicle insurance fraud and two counts of attempt to commit a crime. Jasset allegedly perpetrated a number of insurance fraud schemes in an attempt to obtain monies from several insurance carriers. On June 17, 2008 Jasset reported to police and Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (MPIUA) that his motor vehicle had allegedly been broken into and items stolen. The claim was filed under Jasset s homeowner policy. During the course of the claim, Jasset allegedly changed and increased the number of items he claimed as stolen. He was advised to file a supplemental list with police who then warned him about the penalties of filing a false report. He did not pursue a supplemental list with police but allegedly continued to pursue the claim with the insurance company. In another alleged scheme, on March 26, 2009 Jasset reported water damage to the condominium he rented from his father to MPIUA. During the course of the claim, Jasset made several verbal and written submissions on the claim for contents and alternative living expenses and was paid approximately $18,364. Investigation revealed several of the submissions to be fraudulent. Jasset submitted a lease agreement for a property that allegedly does not exist and several invoices from companies that also allegedly do not exist. In addition, he submitted payment checks that were never negotiated. Shortly after the water damage claim, Jasset reported an alleged break-in to the condo and filed a theft claim. He was paid approximately $11,329 for items he alleged were stolen. Investigation revealed that Jasset made several fraudulent verbal and written statements regarding the alleged theft to receive monies from the insurance carrier which paid the claim based on alleged fraudulent submissions. In a third alleged scam, Jasset reported to Progressive Insurance Company that on December 9, 2009 he was involved in a motor vehicle accident when he was rear-ended while stopped in traffic. Jasset claimed alleged injuries sustained in the accident and lost wages and was paid $8,000 for medicals and lost wages. Investigation revealed the Wage and Salary Verification document submitted by Jasset was allegedly forged. Also, on April 4, 2011 Jasset reported to Travelers Insurance Companies that, while operating his 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan, he was rear-ended at a stop light and pushed into a third unknown vehicle. At the scene, Jasset stated he was injured but preferred to contact his own physician. He subsequently claimed disability due to the accident and submitted a lost wage claim. Jasset collected approximately $7,913 for lost wages. Investigation revealed that the accident was minor and no third vehicle was involved. Furthermore, the Wage and Salary Verification form Inside this Issue of focusfraud submitted by Jasset was allegedly falsified. Provider Fraud.....page 3 Workers Comp Premium Evasion...page 4 Automobile Insurance Fraud.....page 4 CIFI Highlights.......page 5 The case is being prosecuted in Barnstable Superior Court by Assistant District Attorney Michael Donovan of The Cape and The Islands County District Attorney s Office.
Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts 101 Arch Street Boston, MA 02110-1131 Telephone (617) 439-0439 Fax (617) 439-0404 IFB Fraud Hotline 1-800-32FRAUD IFB Website http://www.ifb.org Daniel J. Johnston Executive Director Anthony M. DiPaolo Vice President and Chief of Investigations Laura A. Kessler Vice President and General Counsel Thomas Simon Vice President of Administration Deborah Terry Editor Administrative Manager dterry@ifb.org Individuals who have been charged and whose names have been publicly disseminated have been identified. focusfraud and e-focusfraud are published periodically throughout the year. News flashes on current press releases and news articles and updates on prosecution court activity are posted frequently on the IFB website www.ifb.org. If you prefer to receive your issues of focusfraud and IFB announcements by email, please forward your name, company name and email address to dterry@ifb.org. Referrals and general questions can be emailed to referrals@ifb.org. Other Lines Insurance Fraud continued Healthcare Insurance Worcester Man Uses Brother-In-Law s Identity for Medical Services Worcester A Worcester man pleaded guilty on August 29, 2012 to charges of submitting a false health care claim and larceny. He was sentenced to one year in the House of Correction, suspended with probation. On various dates between February 2, 2010 and November 10, 2010, the Worcester man used the identity of his brother-in-law, an insured of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (HPHC), to secure medical and behavioral health services from numerous providers. HPHC was billed approximately $16,730 and paid providers about $6,200 for services the man fraudulently obtained. Assistant District Attorney John O Leary of Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. s office prosecuted the case. Disability Insurance Case Update Winthrop Man Admits to Working While Collecting Disability and Unemployment Benefits Winthrop On August 13, 2012 a Winthrop man admitted to sufficient facts in Boston Municipal Court on one count of larceny and five counts of false statements/misrepresentations of unemployment insurance. The case was continued without a finding for one year and he was ordered to pay $4,383 in restitution to the Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). The Winthrop man claimed to be an independent trucker and was engaged as a courier for a delivery company on December 30, 2005 when he purportedly slipped on marble stairs. He reported an alleged injured left hip and thigh from the fall. The Winthrop man had taken out a trucker s occupational accident disability insurance policy with AIG several months prior to his fall. As a result of his doctor rendering the man totally disabled he began to collect $500 per week in March 2006 retroactive to January 3, 2006 and continued to collect this amount weekly until January 2, 2007 when his benefits were terminated. Records show the man had applied for and collected unemployment benefits in the amount of $4,383 for the period February 25, 2006 through July 15, 2006 while claiming to be totally disabled. In addition, surveillance in October 2006 shows him driving a delivery truck and carrying envelopes and paperwork to and from buildings. Assistant Attorney General Omar Gonzalez- Pagan from Attorney General Martha Coakley s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Division prosecuted the case. Commercial Insurance Two Men Arraigned for Alleged Scheme Resulting in Fraudulent Payment of More than $23,000 Dedham - Jeffery Bannon was arraigned on September 6, 2012 in Norfolk Superior Court on charges of making a fraudulent insurance claim, larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny. Steven Cournoyer was arraigned on charges of larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny. Bannon is a former employee of Magna Carta Companies also known as Public Service Mutual Insurance Company. Bannon and Cournoyer allegedly conspired in a scheme to defraud Magna Carta on a closed unpaid claim. The claim was related to a slip and fall of a 70-year-old man that occurred in March 2007 at a restaurant insured through Magna Carta. The claim was subsequently closed when the claimant (Continued on page 3) 2 focusfraud October 2012
Other Lines Insurance Fraud continued (Continued from page 2) never came forward. In February 2008, Bannon, acting in his capacity as regional claims manager, reopened the property liability claim to authorize a payment of $23,500 to Cournoyer. As part of the alleged scheme, Cournoyer deposited the insurance proceeds into his bank account and wrote a series of checks to Bannon totaling $6,240. The alleged fraud was initially discovered by Magna Carta in August 2010 following an internal investigation. Assistant Attorney General Gina Masotta of Attorney General Martha Coakley s Criminal Bureau is prosecuting the case. Other Six Individuals Arraigned in Connection with Allegedly Throwing a Criminal Trial Boston - David Forlizzi, Janet Vaccari, Deana Pistone, William Penta and Laura Battista were arraigned on July 19, 2012 and Fred Battista was arraigned on August 14, 2012 in connection with an alleged conspiracy to corrupt a witness, suborn and commit perjury, and obstruct justice in order to obtain the acquittal of two defendants at a March 2012 trial. In April 2008, Forlizzi, Vaccari, Pistone, Penta, Laura Battista and Fred Battista were indicted for insurance fraud, larceny, conspiracy and other offenses stemming from a 2007 investigation conducted by the Attorney General s Office and the IFB. The investigation focused on an alleged insurance fraud scheme that involved billing insurance companies for damage to motor vehicles from alleged non-existent motor vehicle accidents. Before indictment, Vaccari, Pistone and Penta gave recorded statements to investigators indicating that Forlizzi and Fred Battista, who ran Collision Headquarters, Inc., arranged the fraud. In 2008, Vaccari, Pistone, Penta and Laura Battista pleaded guilty to conspiring with Forlizzi and Fred Battista to carry out the fraud. In March 2012, Vaccari, Penta and Laura Battista testified at the trial of Forlizzi and Fred Battista. The testimony was in direct contradiction to their previously recorded statements to investigators and in contradiction to the prior guilty pleas. Instead, they testified at trial that Forlizzi and Fred Battista did not arrange the fraud and were unaware of the fraud. Additionally, Pistone could not be located for trial despite extensive efforts. After the presentation of evidence at the trial of Forlizzi and Fred Battista, the trial judge discharged the jury and recommended that an investigation examine whether perjury, subornation of perjury, and obstruction of justice had occurred, and whether a fraud had been committed upon the Court. According to investigators, Forlizzi allegedly paid thousands of dollars to Vaccari in the period leading up to and during trial. Vaccari allegedly sent that money to an out-of-state entity in order to keep Pistone hidden outside of Massachusetts and from testifying against Forlizzi at trial. Forlizzi and Vaccari allegedly disguised the flow of the money to make it appear that Forlizzi was not the source of the funds. The defendants allegedly furthered their conspiracy through numerous text messages and phones calls before the trial. Vaccari, Penta and Laura Battista also allegedly obstructed justice and committed perjury by falsely testifying that Forlizzi and Fred Battista were uninvolved in the fraud. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Brendan O Shea. Provider Fraud Rockland Woman Indicted for Alleged Insurance Fraud Scam Boston - Olga Rich, the sole owner of South Coastal Physical Therapy (SCPT) in Brockton from 2001 through 2009, was indicted on September 14, 2012 in connection with a scheme to fraudulently collect insurance payments of more than $28,000. Rich was charged with 46 counts of motor vehicle insurance fraud, four counts of larceny and three counts of attempted larceny. Rich allegedly used her position at SCPT to submit fraudulent physical therapy bills to several automobile insurance carriers. These supplemental bills were allegedly sent months or years after the initial billings were sent to the insurers for purported treatment that was never rendered. Rich allegedly continued to submit the supplemental bills to insurers even after SCPT closed and ceased all operations in December 2009. Rich allegedly continued to make calls to insurers seeking reimbursement as recent as August 2011. Further investigation revealed that as a result of the alleged scheme, Rich submitted fraudulent bills totaling nearly $60,000 to insurance companies and received payments of more than $28,000 between August 2007 and August 2011. Insurance carriers affected by the alleged scam include Arbella Mutual, Commerce, GEICO, Pilgrim, Plymouth Rock, Safety and Travelers Insurance Companies. Assistant Attorney General Jessica Massey of the AG s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Division is prosecuting this case. 3 focusfraud October 2012
Workers Compensation Premium Evasion Woburn Business Owner Allegedly Evades More Than $42,000 in Premiums Woburn - Edward App, owner/proprietor of App Tree Inc., was arraigned on July 24, 2012 in Middlesex Superior Court on four counts of workers compensation fraud and three counts of larceny for allegedly failing to accurately report his total payroll or number of employees to his insurance provider to avoid paying the proper insurance premium. An investigation began after an insurance claim was filed by an employee who was injured in a life threatening accident in 2009 when he was crushed by a falling tree. App Tree was assigned to AIM Mutual Insurance Company through the Assigned Risk Pool for workers compensation insurance in 1999. In an alleged effort to evade insurance premiums, App reported to AIM that he was the sole employee of the company and failed to disclose any information about additional employees. Based on his reporting, App was granted the minimum premium rate on his policy. As a result of this alleged fraud, App put AIM unknowingly at risk to cover any employees who were not disclosed for injuries that occurred or might have occurred during the policy periods. App allegedly employed at least two full-time employees and a number of sporadic part-time workers at various times between 2005 and 2009. As a result of this alleged premium avoidance scheme, App allegedly underpaid AIM a total of $42,115 in premium payments. Additionally, AIM paid more than $700,000 in medical and disability payments to the injured employee. Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Adreani of the AG s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Division is prosecuting the case. Automobile Insurance Fraud Stoneham Man Claims Both Front and Rear Vehicle Damage Stoneham A Stoneham man was charged in Cambridge District Court on July 20, 2012 with motor vehicle insurance fraud and attempt to commit a crime. While operating his 2005 Chrysler 300C on April 1, 2008, the Stoneham man was rear-ended by a taxi cab which caused minor rear-end damage to the Chrysler. However, when reporting the claim to Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, he claimed that when rear-ended his vehicle was pushed into the rear of a tractor-trailer which also resulted in front-end damage. The operator of the taxi and an independent witness at the scene contradicted this claim. Furthermore, an accident reconstructionist determined that damage to the rear of the Chrysler was of insufficient force to move the vehicle forward and the front-end damage was inconsistent with contact with a trailer s metal step. Assistant Attorney General Gabriel Thornton is prosecuting the case. Everett Woman Alleges Theft of Lincoln Town Car Everett - Complaints were issued against an Everett woman in Malden District Court on June 29, 2012 on two counts of larceny and one count each intimidation of a witness/juror/police/court official, false report of a motor vehicle theft and presenting a false insurance claim. On August 10, 2008 the woman reported to police and Safety Insurance Company the alleged theft of her 1997 Lincoln Town Car from outside her apartment. She was paid for both the loss of her vehicle and a rental vehicle. The Lincoln was recovered approximately 14 months later by New Hampshire police. Investigation revealed the vehicle had allegedly been left by the woman with a family member in New Hampshire. She allegedly indicated to the family member that she needed to store her vehicle as she was going to Europe. After leaving the vehicle in New Hampshire, the woman reported the alleged theft to police and Safety. Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney Elisha Willis is prosecuting the case. Repeated Sideswiping Damage Passed Off as Hit-While-Parked Somerville A Somerville man admitted to sufficient facts on charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud and attempt to commit a crime on July 11, 2012 in Concord District Court. The case was continued without a finding for 18 months and he was ordered to pay $696 restitution. On June 11, 2011 the Somerville man reported to MetLife Auto & Home that his 2008 Ford Fusion was allegedly hit and damaged while parked at the Burlington Mall. An accident reconstruction determined the damage patterns were consistent with impact with a fixed vertical object when the vehicle was in motion. The man admitted that the damage was the result of repeatedly scrapping a post when exiting his apartment parking garage. Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney Daniel Harren prosecuted the case. Former North Attleboro Man Allegedly Provides False Information on Policy Application Dudley A former North Attleboro man was charged with motor vehicle insurance fraud and larceny in Dudley District Court on August 14, 2012. The man reported hit-while-parked damage to his 1999 Ford Windstar to Commerce Insurance Company on May 9, 2009. However, in the course of investigating the claim it was revealed the man allegedly presented false information to Commerce at the time his policy was issued. The man did not possess a valid license and, unbeknownst to his brother, had listed his brother as the sole/primary operator of the vehicles covered on the policy. Commerce would not have issued the man an insurance policy if presented with the correct information. Assistant Attorney General Peter Downing is prosecuting the case. 4 focusfraud October 2012
Community Insurance Fraud Initiatives Highlights Boston CIFI The case against a West Roxbury woman was continued without a finding for six months on August 7, 2012 on charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud and attempt to commit a crime. The woman reported to MetLife Auto & Home that her 2006 Chevrolet was allegedly stolen while she was at a party in Dorchester on October 4, 2009. On that same date police responded to a motor vehicle accident involving a 2006 Chevrolet. The vehicle had hit median curbing and struck two light poles and the operator of the vehicle fled the scene of the accident. However, a Boston fire department employee witnessed the accident and identified the West Roxbury woman as the operator of the Chevrolet and observed her flee the scene. She admitted to investigators that while operating the vehicle she was using her cell phone and lost control of the vehicle striking the median and poles. A Brockton woman was placed on pre-trial probation for nine months on August 21, 2012 on charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud and attempt to commit a crime. She reported to Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation that while operating her 2002 Nissan Pathfinder in Roxbury on January 13, 2009 she was struck by an unidentified vehicle which fled the scene of the accident. A forensic examination of the Nissan determined the damages to the vehicle were not the result of contact with another vehicle but the Nissan was in motion when it struck a vertical fixed object. The woman admitted that she lent her vehicle to a friend who was involved in an accident resulting in the damages. The Boston task force is assisted by Boston Police Det. Steven Blair. Community Insurance Fraud Initiative (CIFI) cases are prosecuted by the Offices of Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley and Attorney General Martha Coakley s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Division. Brockton CIFI Complaints were issued on September 19, 2012 against a Randolph man on charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud and attempt to commit a crime. The man reported to Arbella Mutual Insurance Company that on November 26, 2010 his 2005 Bentley Continental was hit-while-parked in a Hingham restaurant parking lot which resulted in front end damage. There were no witnesses to the incident. A collision analysis of the vehicle concluded that the damage was not consistent with the incident as reported by the Randolph man. The damage was concentrated near the bottom edge of the bumper which was inconsistent with contact with another vehicle. Furthermore there was significant scraping on the bottom edge of the bumper consistent with the vehicle running over curbing or a low concrete object which indicated the vehicle was in motion when it was damaged. Complaints were issued against four Brockton residents on insurance fraud-related charges on August 30, 2012. Police responded to an intersection accident on January 30, 2010 when a 1999 Honda Civic allegedly made a left turn into a 2000 Honda Civic. The two operators plus their passengers all alleged injuries from the accident and were transported by ambulance to the hospital. They subsequently filed personal injury and bodily injury claims. Two separate vehicle analyses of both Hondas concluded the accident could not have occurred as described and damage on each vehicle did not support a reciprocal collision. Furthermore, the four subjects made inconsistent statements regarding the events surrounding the alleged accident. Progressive and Safety Insurance Companies insured the vehicles. Brockton CIFI cases are prosecuted by the Office of Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz. Lawrence CIFI A Haverhill man pleaded guilty on September 11, 2012 to motor vehicle insurance fraud, larceny and removal of a motor vehicle with intent to defraud the insurer. He was sentenced to 18 months in the House of Correction, six months to serve, and the balance suspended with probation. A restitution hearing is scheduled. A second subject reported the alleged theft of her 1992 GMC Typhoon on March 13, 2007 to police and Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation. She stated that the vehicle was locked, there were no keys in the vehicle at the time of the alleged theft and that she was in possession of the sole key to the vehicle. She was paid approximately $10,896 for the theft claim plus car rental reimbursement. An anonymous tip to Plymouth Rock claimed the GMC was being dismantled in a Lawrence garage owned by the Haverhill man. Police located the GMC Typhoon in the garage while the vehicle was in the process of being stripped. The Haverhill man is the boyfriend of the GMC owner. (Continued on page 6) 5 focusfraud October 2012
Community Insurance Fraud Initiatives Highlights continued (Continued from page 5) Complaints were issued against a Lawrence couple on September 5, 2012. The woman was charged with motor vehicle insurance fraud, attempt to commit a crime and conspiracy. Her husband was charged with motor vehicle insurance fraud and conspiracy. The couple reported that they and their son were injured in a hit-and-run accident which occurred on November 26, 2010. The husband provided police the license plate number of the vehicle that fled the scene. Investigation revealed, however, that only the husband was in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Both he and his wife allegedly admitted that he was the sole occupant in the vehicle at the time of the accident and that the wife made a false injury claim. Safety and Arbella Mutual Insurance Companies insured the vehicles. The Lawrence CIFI task force is assisted by detectives from the Lawrence and other area police departments. CIFI cases are prosecuted by Essex County Assistant District Attorneys James Gubitose, Greg Friedholm, Lindsay Nason and Ashley Logan and Assistant Attorney General William Freeman of Attorney General Martha Coakley s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Division. Lowell CIFI Anthony and Vicki Scalzilli were arraigned on August 1, 2012 on charges of insurance fraud, motor vehicle insurance fraud, larceny, false report of a crime, removal of a motor vehicle to defraud the insurer and two counts each attempt to commit a crime and conspiracy. On January 3, 2009 the Scalzillis reported they parked their 2008 Infiniti QX56 SUV at approximately 5:45 p.m. before dining with their 18-month-old son at a nearby restaurant. At approximately 6:50 p.m. they claimed they were unable to locate the vehicle and reported the alleged theft to police and Hanover Insurance Company. Both an automobile theft claim and a homeowner theft claim were filed. The homeowner claim was made for a car seat, valued at $295, and a man's Brietling watch, valued at $8,000, which the Scalzillis claimed were in the vehicle at the time of the theft. Later that same evening, police received a call concerning a vehicle floating in the Merrimack River with its lights on. The vehicle was not physically recovered from the river until February 11, 2009 at which time it was identified as the Scalzillis 2008 Infiniti. A forensic examination of the Infiniti concluded the vehicle had been driven to an unidentified location adjacent to the Merrimack River with a properly coded transponder key and then, with the driver s side window in the down position and the automatic transmission in neutral position, the vehicle was pushed into the river with its lights on. Further inspection of the vehicle found no evidence of either the baby seat which reportedly had been belted into the rear seat of the passenger compartment or the Brietling watch. The Scalzillis received a replacement watch valued at $6,825. The theft claim was denied when the Scalzillis reported that they were in possession of the only two properly coded transponder keys to the Infiniti prior to and after the theft. The Lowell task force is assisted by area police departments. CIFI cases are prosecuted by Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney Casey Silvia. Lynn CIFI Complaints were issued against a Lynn woman on September 13, 2012 on charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud and attempt to commit a crime. The woman reported that her 2003 Acura MDX was allegedly hit-whileparked in front of her mother s home on October 5, 2011 and sustained damage to the driver s side. The woman reported there were no witnesses and she was instructed by police to submit a crash report. A forensic examination of the Acura concluded that the vehicle did not make contact with another vehicle but the damage was consistent with contact with a vertical object while in a rearward motion. The Lynn task force is assisted by Lynn Police Officer Robert LeBlanc. CIFI cases are prosecuted by Essex County Assistant District Attorney Geoffrey Wood. New Bedford/Fall River CIFI Helen Amaral admitted to sufficient facts on August 13, 2012 to charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud and attempt to commit a crime. The case was continued without a finding for three years. She was ordered to perform eight hours of community service per month for three years. Amaral was the only passenger on a public transportation bus when it collided with a 2004 Ford Van on May 12, 2010. Police were called to the scene. Am- (Continued on page 7) 6 focusfraud October 2012
Community Insurance Fraud Initiatives Highlights continued (Continued from page 6) aral treated on May 13, 2010 at an emergency room for dizziness, nausea, neck pain and forehead pain. She claimed to Travelers Insurance Companies that upon impact she allegedly struck her head above her right eye and right temple on a holding bar in the bus. The bus driver at the time of the accident stated she observed no bumps or bleeding on Amaral s head after the accident. The police report also listed no injuries sustained in the accident. The bus company provided a surveillance video from the time Amaral entered the bus to the time of the collision which showed that Amaral did not strike her head as she reported when the collision occurred. A Dighton man admitted to sufficient facts on a charge of larceny on July 24, 2012. The case was continued without a finding for one year and he was ordered to pay $12,597 in restitution. The Dighton man reported the alleged theft of his 2002 Nissan Altima from his driveway to Commerce Insurance Company on December 27, 2007. He was paid approximately $12,597 for the theft loss. After the claim was paid, Commerce received information indicating that the vehicle had been sold to someone living out of state and not stolen as reported. Investigation revealed that the Dighton man had knowledge of the location of the Nissan at the time he reported the alleged theft. The New Bedford/Fall River task force is assisted by New Bedford Police Det. Greg Sirois and Fall River Police Lt. Paul Bernier. CIFI cases are prosecuted by the Office of Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter. Randolph CIFI The case against Jean Philemond was continued without a finding for nine months on August 17, 2012 on charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud and attempt to commit a crime. Philemond reported the alleged theft of his 1998 Ford Expedition to police and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company on January 29, 2007. The vehicle was recovered prior to the theft report with reported ignition damage, seats missing and all of the windows smashed. An expert examination of the vehicle determined that the steering column, ignition lock, transponder system and anti-theft system were not defeated electronically and that the damages were cosmetic in nature and inflicted after the vehicle had been driven to its recovery site. In addition, the proper key was required to operate the vehicle. Philemond stated that he was in possession of the only key to the Ford. The Randolph task force is assisted by Randolph Police Det. Sgt. David Avery and Sgt. Melissa McCormack and Quincy Police Det. Jason MacIsaac. CIFI cases are prosecuted by the Office of Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey. Revere CIFI On July 31, 2012 a Revere man admitted to sufficient facts on charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud and false report of a crime. The case was continued without a finding for six months. The Revere man reported the alleged vandalism of his 1996 Land Rover on May 2, 2010 to Norfolk & Dedham Mutual Insurance Company. He claimed the vehicle was parked and unattended when the interior door panels, stereo and three seats were removed as well as damages inflicted to the interior roof liner. An expert examination of the vehicle determined that the vehicle had a rejected inspection sticker, the check engine light was illuminated and other engine problems existed. The Revere man admitted that he falsified the vandalism claim. The Revere task force is assisted by Revere Police Det. Sgt. Steven Pisano. CIFI cases are prosecuted by Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Brandt. Springfield/Holyoke CIFI A Granby man was indicted on September 7, 2012 on charges of larceny and presenting a false insurance claim. The man reported the alleged theft of his Tag Heuer watch to USAA Insurance on December 10, 2010. The insurance company denied the claim when it was determined that the theft was related to the man s negligence for leaving the watch on a restaurant bar unattended. However, in the course of this investigation, it was revealed that the man had filed a similar claim on October 13, 2008 for another lost Tag Heuer watch. He was paid approximately $2,500 for this previous loss claim. Additional investigation revealed that the Granby man had sent (Continued on page 8) 7 focusfraud October 2012
Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts 101 Arch Street Boston, Massachusetts 02110-1131 PRESORTED STANDARD BOSTON, MA PERMIT NO. 51826 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Community Insurance Fraud Initiatives Highlights continued (Continued from page 7) the Tag Heuer watch to be repaired in August 2008 and the watch was not returned to him until November 2008, a month after his loss claim. The Springfield/Holyoke task force is assisted by area police departments. CIFI cases are prosecuted by Hampden County Assistant District Attorney James Forsyth, Berkshire County Assistant District Attorney Gregory Barry and Franklin County First Assistant District Attorney Steve Gagne. Worcester CIFI A Worcester man admitted to sufficient facts on charges of larceny and motor vehicle insurance fraud on July 12, 2012. The case was continued without a finding for one year. He was ordered to pay $6,146 in restitution. The man, as an employee of a Worcester auto body shop, submitted multiple auto rental bills to Commerce and Travelers Insurance Companies for a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu with timeframes which overlapped in rental periods. Investigation revealed that the Malibu was rented to four individuals in timeframes that overlapped in July and August 2007. Further investigation uncovered three additional individuals who allegedly rented the Malibu during the same time frame in November and December of 2007. Investigation determined that there were 180 rental days of the Malibu which overlapped in some way between renters. The Worcester man is the registered owner of the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. The Worcester task force is assisted by Worcester Police Det. Scott Blakeney and other area police departments. CIFI cases are prosecuted by Worcester County Assistant District Attorney John O Leary. 8 focusfraud October 2012