CFO Jeff Atwater Announces Arrest of Miami Woman in $100,000
Life Insurance Scam
10/12/2012
Contact: Anna Alexopoulos
(850) 413-2842
TALLAHASSEE - Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced today the arrest of Sherita A. BullardFerguson, 43, for forging her ex-husband's death certificate in an attempt to claim a $100,000 life insurance payout.
An investigation from the Florida Department of Financial Services' Division of Insurance Fraud revealed that in
2009 Bullard-Ferguson filed a life insurance claim for $100,000 with Primerica, indicating that her ex-husband had
died on February 28, 2009. She included a notarized claim form and copy of his death certificate. Suspicious of
several fraud indicators in this claim, Primerica notified the Division of Insurance Fraud. Detectives established that
the death certificate Bullard-Ferguson submitted had been copied and altered from the death certificate of her
brother, who died in 2004.
Bullard-Ferguson was charged with multiple felony counts including insurance fraud and grand theft. If convicted,
she faces up to 70 years in prison.
Anyone with information about these or any other incidents of suspected insurance fraud is asked to call 1-800-3780445. Citizens who provide tips can remain anonymous. The Department of Financial Services to date has awarded
almost $275,000 to more than 40 citizens as part of its Anti-Fraud Reward Program. The program rewards
individuals up to $25,000 for information that directly leads to an arrest and conviction in an insurance fraud
scheme.
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Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, a statewide elected official, oversees the Department of Financial Services.
CFO Atwater's priorities include fighting financial fraud, abuse and waste in government, reducing government
spending and regulatory burdens that chase away businesses, and providing transparency and accountability in
spending.