November 2012
Volume 3 - Issue 5
“I was proud to see
Florida’s anti-fraud
efforts first hand, and I
commend CFO
Atwater’s leadership
on this issue.”
- Rep. Jim Boyd
Sponsor of 2012 PIP Reform
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Sarasota PIP Sting
2
Serrano 500 Arrests
3
PIP Fraud News
4
Most Wanted
5
PIP Fraud Spotlight
7
Statewide Arrests
10
Statewide Contacts
HEADER HERE
Two Arrested in
Undercover Sarasota
PIP Clinic Sting
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced the arrests of Nerber A.
Iglesias, 40, and Michael Borkowski, 42, for patient brokering and involvement in an
ongoing personal injury protection (PIP) fraud scheme in Manatee County. These
arrests were the result of an undercover sting.
"This investigation is a prime example of the organized nature of PIP fraud rings in
Florida," CFO Atwater said. "Those who cheat the system to make a buck are
stealing from every honest Floridian. I applaud the hard work of our fraud
investigators and the chiropractor who worked with us from the inside to bring these
criminals to justice."
Rep. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton),
sponsor of the 2012 PIP legislative
reforms, joined law enforcement on
the bust. "Every dollar of insurance
premiums stolen by criminals is a
dollar taken away from honest
Floridians," Rep. Boyd said. "I was
proud to see Florida’s anti-fraud
efforts first hand, and I commend
CFO Atwater’s leadership on this
issue."
An investigation by the Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of
Insurance Fraud revealed that Iglesias approached a Sarasota chiropractor about
becoming the straw owner of Garden Relief Center, LLC. The chiropractor
contacted law enforcement and, under the direction of the department, applied for a
clinic exemption certificate to begin operating the facility. The chiropractor, working
undercover, was also contacted by a local body shop owner named Michael
Borkowski, who made arrangements to provide accident patients to the clinic for a
fee. During the course of the investigation, Garden Relief Center submitted almost
$40,000 in fraudulent insurance claims. Iglesias and Borkowski were charged with
eight counts of patient brokering. If convicted on all charges, they each face up to 40
years in prison.
This case is part of a continuing crackdown by CFO Atwater’s Division of Insurance
Fraud and the National Insurance Crime Bureau in the fight against auto insurance
fraud in Florida. Direct General, Geico, Infinity, Progressive, Security National,
Sentry, Travelers and Windhaven provided assistance in this case.
November 2012
Page 2
Lt. Serrano Recognized For 500th Arrest
Without question, Lt. Violeta Serrano is the most productive employee of the Division of Insurance Fraud. In October,
she made her 500th arrest for the agency. Serrano was hired by the Division in May 1999 as a trainee, and worked to
establish her reputation as the best at what she did. In less than three years, she had made her 100th arrest and was on
her way to record-breaking numbers. In 2002 and 2003, she made 100 or more arrests each year.
In 2001, the Division nominated Serrano to be the SLECA (State Law Enforcement Chief’s Association) Investigator of
the Year and she was named the 2001 Investigator of the Year by FIFEC (Florida Insurance Fraud Education
Committee). In 2003, Serrano was nominated by the Division to be the Attorney General’s Investigator of the Year.
Highlights of her years as a detective include Operations Small Bite and Big Bite, Operation Kit Kat, Operation Big Apple,
Operation Total Disruption, and Operation MD - Medical Deception, the latter involving the arrests of seven doctors,
three clinic owners and six clinic employees. As a result of these cases and her outstanding productivity and dedication,
Serrano was promoted to Lieutenant in July 2004. She has supervised more than 880 arrests on her squad, including
161 that she made since her promotion.
Serrano’s hard work has resulted in a significant impact in the fight against PIP fraud. Clinic owners, doctors, runners,
staged accident participants have all felt her wrath in investigations. She is respected by law enforcement, prosecutors,
the insurance community and defense attorneys.
Serrano demonstrates the highest degree of work ethic and integrity, and we congratulate her on her 500th arrest.
Jump-ins Busted Statewide
October was a bad month to make an insurance claim in Florida as a jump-in, as the Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF)
busted nine subjects statewide for filing fraudulent claims for auto accidents in which they were not involved or injured.
The arrests were in Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
A jump-in is an insurance fraud scheme in which a person claims to have been in an auto accident when they were not.
In some cases, they are the owners of an unoccupied vehicle that was parked and struck by another vehicle. As such,
they are listed on the crash report prepared by police. However, even though they were not in the vehicle at the time of
the impact, some will use the report to seek treatment at a clinic in order to receive compensation.
Nine subjects were arrested by DIF in October for claims filed between January 2011 and February 2012, seven of
which claimed to have been inside vehicles at the time of the crash when they were not. Two of those arrested were
charged with providing false statements in support of the fraudulent jump-in claim. Those arrested were Aces Dort, Jr,
23; Catherine Annette Griffin, 54; Gloria Gutierrez, 50; Maxan Jean, 40; Ronald P Joseph, 40; Soorujnie Joseph, 43;
Claude Mondesir, 40; Felix Naranjo Perez, 58 and Veronica Andrea Torres, 32. The false claims exceeded $48,000 and
were filed against Amica, Direct, Farmers, Imperial Fire, Infinity, Progressive, Travelers and United Auto.
Tampa Chiropractor Arrested in Undercover Sting
The Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) arrested a chiropractor after an undercover investigation found that he allegedly
billed an insurance company for treatment not rendered. Yong Hyeon Kim, 46, licensed as a chiropractor in Florida
since 2005, was arrested in October and charged with insurance fraud. Kim owned and operated SF Chiropractic &
Rehab Center, a clinic in Tampa which was first incorporated in 2006.
The case was initiated after Peachtree Casualty Insurance Company contacted DIF with information that Kim may be
committing fraud. An employee was concerned that the clinic would be investigated for fraud as patients were being told
to sign for treatment that they did not receive. DIF initiated an undercover investigation where law enforcement officers
posed as patients.
Two undercover detectives started treatment at the clinic, but intentionally missed several days. When they returned to
the clinic, Kim asked them to sign for treatment on the days they missed. A search warrant was executed at the clinic to
seize the undercover detectives’ files and Kim was arrested. Nationwide Insurance also assisted in this investigation.
The PIP Source
Page 3
PIP FRAUD – In The News
BREAKING NEWS - Judge Issues Injunction Against Hillsborough PIP Ordinance
The following notice was sent by Hillsborough County to all known PIP Provider Clinics via email.
"On October 31, 2012, Circuit Judge William P. Levens issued an injunction against enforcement of the PIP
Medical Providers Ordinance. This ruling means that the Consumer Protection Agency will take no further
action involving this ordinance until further notice from the court. During this period of time, the Consumer
Protection Agency will not be processing applications, performing inspections, or conducting any enforcement
activities with respect to the ordinance. A written order from the court has not been issued. When the order
is issued, we will send a follow-up email with a copy of the order."
This development places a temporary hold on Consumer Protection licensing and enforcement activities
related to PIP Clinics in Hillsborough County. The PIP Source will look to update this story next month.
Division of Insurance Fraud Creates New Region in South Florida
The Division of Insurance Fraud has created a new region in South Florida called the South Central Region,
which covers parts of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. John Dygon, a 36-year law
enforcement veteran including 13 years with DIF, was promoted to be the Captain of the new region, which
includes four squads; general fraud in Miami-Dade and Broward and dedicated PIP squads in Broward and
Palm Beach.
We congratulate Captain Dygon on his promotion and wish him well in his new responsibilities.
Mother, Twin Daughters Arrested in Paper Accident Scheme in Tampa
The Division of Insurance Fraud arrested a mother and her twin daughters for their involvement in a paper
accident scheme in Tampa. Maria Alejo, 56, and her twin daughters, Janeth Delgado, 28 and Jenny
Delgado, 28, were charged with insurance fraud after they filed claims with Mercury Insurance for alleged
injuries suffered in a non-existent accident on May 17, 2011. Alejo and her daughters allegedly treated at
three Tampa area clinics, Metropolitan Medical Group, Uptown Wellness Center and Wellswood Medical
Group, with bills in excess of $24,000.
Disbarred Attorney Arrested in Miami Case
The Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) announced the arrest of a disbarred attorney for unlawfully negotiating
PIP claims in Miami-Dade County. Jason Scott Cole, 53, was charged with 17 counts of unlicensed practice
of law and 17 counts of practice of law while disbarred. Cole was disbarred in Florida in 1993.
Cole owns POD Billing Service, Inc, with his wife, Amie Packman Cole. POD Billing Service submitted
demand letters to Kingsway Amigo Insurance Company on behalf of clinics for PIP claims. Cole would
initially attempt to negotiate settlement of the claims through POD Billing Services. If the insurance company
did not settle, Cole then referred those claims to the law firm of George & Feistmann, PA, where Cole worked
as a paralegal. Cole would then negotiate those claims through the law firm. As a disbarred attorney, and
since he did not own the claims, Cole could not lawfully negotiate the claims.
Cole was charged with negotiating 17 claims between January 2011 and September 2012.
Division of Insurance Fraud publishes Annual Report for 2011-2012
The Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) has published it’s 2011-2012 Annual Report. It
provides an accounting of the year’s activity by DIF, including arrests and case highlights
throughout the state. One thing that stands out is the number of PIP referrals and PIP
related activity, which we believe would be interesting information for our readers.
You can view the full annual report at the DIF website at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/
fraud/Annual%20Report/2011-2012_DIF_AnnualReport.pdf.
November 2012
Page 4
Most Wanted: Fugitive
Ibrahim Cueto Bernardo aka “Abraham”
Hispanic Male, 53 years old
5’07”, 150 lbs, Green Eyes, Bald
Warrant Information:
Warrant/Case #: NIC# W246059440
Felony Warrant Charge: FTA Insurance Fraud / Patient Brokering
Details:
The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance
Fraud, DIF is attempting to locate Ibrahim Cueto Bernardo in reference
to the outstanding warrant W246059440. The defendant never showed
for trial and is believed to have fled to Cuba.
The subject operated the now closed Underwood Medical Clinic. Cueto
was involved in insurance fraud and patient brokering. Cueto paid
subjects to come and treat at this clinic after their participation in staged
accidents. Subsequently, insurance companies were billed for services
not rendered.
The last known address of Ibrahim Cueto is at 12450 SW 8th Street,
Miami FL 33184. If you know where Cueto can be located, please
contact the Division of Insurance Fraud at 1-800-378-0445.
Check out the latest Most Wanted at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/PressOffice/MostWanted/
Tampa Clinic Owner Convicted at Trial
After Fleeing to Cuba
Ibrahim Cueto Bernardo, 53, was arrested by the Division of Insurance Fraud in November 2011 and charged
with insurance fraud, patient brokering and racketeering. The case involved more than $100,000 in fraud.
Cueto Bernardo owned Underwood Healthcare Services and was arrested following an undercover
investigation into staged accidents and billing for services not rendered.
Six other defendants have been charged in that case; some are still pending trial while additional arrests are
pending.
During the first day of testimony at his trial on October 17, 2012, Cueto Bernardo allegedly fled Florida for
Cuba. That did not prevent the jury from convicting him of all 8 counts two days later.
Cueto Bernardo is scheduled to be sentenced in December and prosecutors expect he faces a significant
time in prison.
Cueto Bernardo is the featured subject of this month’s Most Wanted (see above).
The PIP Source
Page 5
PIP FRAUD SPOTLIGHT ON – Fake Insurance Cards
This month we welcome the return of our feature “PIP Fraud Spotlight On”, in order to cover the problem of fake
insurance cards.
Pursuant to Florida State Statute 817.2361 entitled “False or fraudulent proof of motor vehicle insurance”, any
person who, with intent to deceive any other person, creates, markets, or presents a false or fraudulent proof of
motor vehicle insurance commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083,
or s. 775.084.
When the Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) worked with the Legislature to create this statute, we wanted to make sure
we covered all types of fake insurance and scenarios where someone would use a fake insurance card. At times people
may present an accord form or some other document that shows insurance coverage and, if that was fraudulent, we
wanted that to be covered the same as a fake insurance card.
Reports from various groups have tried to quantify how many uninsured drivers there are in Florida, and that number will
always be greater than the number of persons with fake insurance cards. We would believe that most uninsured drivers
don’t go to the trouble of purchasing or creating a fake card, they simply drive on our streets uninsured.
There are several aspects to this crime. Some people may alter an old insurance card to show that it is currently active
when it is not, and others may purchase an insurance card from the local dealer selling them out of the back of a van for
$50 or more. Most people use a fake insurance card in an attempt to renew their auto tag, or to hand to the police officer
who pulled them over for an infraction.
DIF has arrested both buyers and sellers, and we are always looking to identify and take down the latter. However,
there are times when a person with a fake insurance card may not be to blame and could actually be the victim of an
unscrupulous insurance agent who pocketed their premium and issued a phony card for which there is no record with the
insurance carrier. In working these cases, DIF is always cognizant that the person with the fake card may not know it,
even if it is a rare occasion. Over the last three years, DIF has received nearly 600 referrals for fake insurance cards
statewide and has made more than 50 arrests.
In prior issues, we have covered the activity of local law enforcement working with the National Insurance Crime Bureau
(NICB) and insurance carriers to identify and arrest persons with fictitious insurance cards. On October 9, 2012, law
enforcement officers in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties conducted a one-day crackdown on uninsured
motorists. Nearly 24 percent of all drivers in Florida don't have insurance, according to the nonprofit Insurance Research
Council. That's about one in every four drivers, putting Florida in the top five of states with uninsured drivers. Uninsured
drivers is one reason Floridians pay $1,476 a year, on average, for automobile insurance, according to estimates by
Insure.com. But in South Florida, where scams and fraud are common, many who don't have insurance are driving with
fake insurance cards also, according to officials. To combat the problem, officers in Broward, Palm Beach and MiamiDade counties partnered with insurance agents as part of the one-day campaign. The main goal was to target uninsured
drivers, but it was also designed to catch those with phony insurance cards.
Fred Burkhardt, a special agent with NICB, said it's important to crack down on uninsured drivers because they drive up
the premiums for the rest of us who carry insurance. "Insurance is sort of the law of large numbers. The more people in
the pool, the less your premiums are going to be," said Burkhardt. "So, if you have drivers who are not in the insurance
pool and not paying premiums, then you are going to cover the difference."
Approximately 800 law enforcement officers participated in the tri-county operation which resulted in more than 2,000
traffic citations and 46 arrests, including six for fake insurance cards. Insurance companies that participated included
Allied, Allstate, Bristol West / Security National, Direct General, Farmers / 21st Century, Gainsco / MGA, Geico, GMAC /
Integon, Hartford, Imperial Fire / Omni / Redland, Infinity, Kingsway Amigo, Mapfre, Mercury, MetLife, Nationwide,
Sentry / Peak Property / Dairyland, State Farm, Titan, Travelers, United Auto, USAA, Victoria and Windhaven.
Read the full article by Ihosvani Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel at http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fluninsured-motorists-south-florida-20121009,0,5890204.story and view a video by ABC 10 in Miami at http://
www.local10.com/news/Police-bust-drivers-with-fake-insurance-documents/-/1717324/16909622/-/ehsg6tz/-/index.html.
Coming Next Month in the Spotlight:
We take a look at the work of the dedicated PIP squads in Tampa.
The PIP Source
Page 6
Miami PIP Detective Receives DFS Award
The Department of Financial Services held its Employee Recognition Ceremony on October
11 in Tallahassee. Miami PIP Detective Carlos Maura, who made 15 arrests during the
award period, was awarded the Creative Innovation Award for the Division of Insurance
Fraud.
CFO Atwater was on hand to congratulate the recipients, pose with them for photos and
most importantly, stress to them how much each of them is appreciated for their exemplary
work and going that extra mile in serving the citizens of Florida. Directors of each division
chose at least three employees, one in each category, to recognize. The recipients for the
fall ceremony were honored for the period of January through June 2012. The categories
were Superior Customer Service Award, Exemplary Performance Award and Creative
Innovation Award.
Workers Compensation Detective Gloria Fribley-Lykes from Tampa and Criminal Intelligence Analyst Lorie Wiese from
Tallahassee were also winners. We congratulate all three on their well-deserved awards.
Unlicensed Chiropractor Busted in Broward
Francis J. “Frank” Falowski, 53, was arrested on his way to work at Rainforest Family Medical Center in Tamarac.
Falowski was charged with practicing without a license or suspended revoked void license and probation violation. At
the same time, members of the Metro Broward Drug Task Force were hitting the clinic with a search warrant. Sharon
Costanzo, 57, the alleged owner of the clinic, was also arrested. Licensed as a nurse practitioner since 1975, Costanzo
faces a charge of the unlicensed practice of a health care profession.
This is not the first time Falowski has been in trouble. In 2007, an undercover operation by the Broward Sheriff’s Office
Strategic Investigations Unit, the Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB),
with the cooperation of State Farm Insurance Company, led to the arrest of Falowski, his wife Christine and their office
assistant. Undercover officers posed as patients, and signed for treatment at the clinic, Broward Family Medical Center,
located in Lauderdale Lakes. The clinic claimed to do X-rays, but never put film in the machines; claimed to provide
massage therapy, yet never laid a hand on the undercover patients. Falowski received five years probation.
Falowski, who was first licensed as a chiropractor in Florida in 1986, had his license revoked by the Department of
Health (DOH) in 2008.
Click this link to view WSVN Miami’s Carmel Caifero’s report on Falowski’s arrest - http://www.wsvn.com/features/
articles/carmelcase/MI96281/, and click this link to see the disciplinary order by DOH at http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/
DocServiceMngr/GetImage.aspx?documentid=MTAwODQzNDg=&enc=1.
November 2012
Page 7
Statewide PIP Arrests – October 2012
Each issue will provide a list of PIP arrests made by the offices throughout the State. Along with each defendant’s name
and age, we will include: the type of scheme involved; the fraud dollar amount; clinic name(s); victim insurance company
name(s); and the arresting office. If you need additional details on any of these arrests, please contact Capt. Smith.
Maxan Jean, 40 - jump-in 07/11/11 - $1,950 – High Definition Mobile MRI (Imperial Fire) M
Maria C Alejo, 56 - paper acct 05/17/11 (driver) $24,307 - Metropolitan Medical Group / Uptown Wellness Center / Wellswood
Medical Group (Mercury) T
Janeth Delgado, 28 - paper acct 05/17/11 (driver) $24,307 - Metropolitan Medical Group / Uptown Wellness Center / Wellswood
Medical Group (Mercury) T
Daniel Ross Bolander, 22 – fake ins card (Geico) W
Minerva Suarez, 63 - staged acct 11/07/10 (passenger) $55,684 – Alas Medical / East Coast Chiro / Sanchez Therapy / South Florida
Medical (Imperial Fire / State Farm) M
Jacqueline M Sanchez, 46 - staged acct 04/22/10 (passenger) $83,785 – Lopez Chiropractic Center / New Life Care Services
(Geico / Progressive) M
Fernando M Fernandez, 35 - staged acct 04/22/10 (recruiter) $83,785 – Lopez Chiropractic Center / New Life Care Services (Geico /
Progressive) M
Sherri L Johnson, 43 - cashing fraudulent PIP checks - $737 (Geico) J
Diana Garay, 31 - failure to appear (prior PIP arrest) B
Courtney Shettlesworth, 28 – fake ins card (Geico) W
Jonathan Nelson Escoriaza, 29 - runner / solicitation 8/14/12 - Auto Collision Solutions Accident Consultants (Security National /
Windhaven) M
Maydenis Molinet Sanchez, 29 - staged acct 04/22/10 (passenger) $83,785 – Lopez Chiropractic Center / New Life Care Services
(Geico / Progressive) M
Marvina T Morgan, 34 – fake ins card (Progressive) W
Gloria Gutierrez, 50 - jump-in 01/13/11 - Physicians Group (Travelers) T
Jenny Delgado, 28 - paper acct 05/17/11 (driver) $24,307 - Metropolitan Medical Group / Uptown Wellness Center / Wellswood
Medical Group (Mercury) T
Yolanda Ibanez, 57 - staged acct 01/18/12 (driver) $66,744 - B & A Diagnostic / Fontainebleau Rehab Center / Universal X-Ray
Corp / Y & J Chiropractic Center (Geico) M
Juan Francisco Fernandez, 49 - staged acct 04/13/10 (recruiter) $52,302 - Express Medical Center (Republic Western / State Farm)
M
Reinaldo Giz Fontao, 53 - staged acct 06/18/11 (passenger) $88,041 – Flamingo Health Corp / Florida Mammogram & Imaging
Services / Rainbow Rehabilitation / Roig Ortho & Rehab Center / YH Imaging (State Farm) M
Jose Luis Diaz Perez, 40 - staged acct 01/18/11 (driver) $47,039 - JKR Chiropractic / South Florida Medical Health Center / VL
Medical Center Corp / YH Imaging (Allstate / Kingsway Amigo) M
Steven Luke Tisci, 24 - staged acct 06/01/09 (driver) $71,979 - Northlake Medical Chiropractic (Gainsco / Republic Western / Sentry)
W
Catherine Annette Griffin, 54 - jump-in 02/19/12 - $5,761 - Schulze Chiropractic (Farmers) P
Veronica Andrea Torres, 32 - statement in support of jump-in 01/13/11 - Physicians Group (Travelers) T
Soorujnie Joseph, 43 - jump-in 12/10/11 - $7,045 - Florida Injury Kissimmee LLC (Amica) O
Felix Naranjo Perez, 58 - jump-in 02/25/12 - $25,335 – Ceda Health of Downtown / ISO Diagnostic / Kendall Open MRI / Stand Up
MRI of Miami / Calhoun Orthopedics (Infinity / United Auto) M
Joseph Michael Borkowski, 42 - patient brokering—$40,000 - Garden Relief Center, LLC () T
Code – B (Broward) F (Ft Myers) J (Jacksonville) M (Miami) O (Orlando) P (Pensacola) TL (Tallahassee) T (Tampa/St Pete) W (West Palm Beach)
The PIP Source
Page 8
Statewide PIP Arrests – October 2012
Each issue will provide a list of PIP arrests made by the offices throughout the State. Along with each defendant’s name
and age, we will include: the type of scheme involved; the fraud dollar amount; clinic name(s); victim insurance company
name(s); and the arresting office. If you need additional details on any of these arrests, please contact Capt. Smith.
Ronald P Joseph, 40 - statement in support of jump-in 12/10/11 - $7,045 - Florida Injury Kissimmee LLC (Amica) O
Maikel Lopez, 31 - staged acct 01/18/11 (passenger) $47,039 - JKR Chiropractic / South Florida Medical / VL Medical / YH Imaging
(Allstate / Kingsway Amigo) M
Richard Maxwell Murther, 61 - lost wages - $1,300 (USAA) J
Edward J Barrios Rodriguez, 20 - staged acct 03/28/11 (driver) $13,295 - Miracle Health Services (Mapfre) M
Jorge Luis Rojas, 45 - staged acct 04/13/10 (recruiter) $52,302 – Express Medical Center (Republic Western / State Farm) M
Rafael Angel Meana, 67 - massage therapist - $5,592 - Clarke Medical Services (Geico) M
Rollied Hernandez, 31 - paper acct 06/09/11 (driver) $274 - Ultra Care & Diagnostic (State Farm) M
Edith Maria Fleites, 30 - paper acct 09/24/11 (passenger) $2,610 - Drs Professional Medical / B & A Diagnostic (State Farm) M
Edith Maria Fleites, 30 - paper acct 11/15/11 (passenger) $1,830 – Health and Wellness Services (State Farm) M
Edith Maria Fleites, 30 - paper acct 06/09/11 (passenger) $274 - Ultra Care & Diagnostic (State Farm) M
Edith Maria Fleites, 30 - paper acct 09/17/11 (passenger) $6,673 – Angels Diagnostics / Palmetto West Rehab (State Farm) M
Edith Maria Fleites, 30 - paper acct 06/21/11 (passenger) $4,355 – J & Y & Y Therapy Services (State Farm) M
Lora Mae Campbell, 34 - fake ins card (Bristol West) T
Perry Lee Kaigler, Jr, 23 - fake ins card (Mapfre) W
Doriel Rodriguez, 32 - staged acct 01/18/11 (passenger) $47,039 - JKR Chiropractic / South Florida Medical / VL Medical / YH
Imaging (Allstate / Kingsway Amigo) M
Maria Sanchez Acosta, 59 - staged acct 04/22/10 (passenger) $83,785 – Lopez Chiropractic Center / New Life Care Services
(Geico / Progressive) M
Angel Thomas Baquedano, 19 - paper acct 01/20/12 - $8,290 - Miami Star Medical Center (Esurance) M
Jason Scott Cole, 53 - disbarred attorney / unlicensed practice of law (Kingsway Amigo) M
Lazaro Jose Sanchez, 24 - staged acct 09/17/11 (passenger) $12,100 - Quality Rehabilitation Services / All X-Ray Diagnostic
Services (Infinity) M
Yong Hyeon Kim, 46 - chiropractor - $992 - SF Chiropractic & Rehab Center (Nationwide) T
Carlos Rodriguez Martinez, 54 - paper acct 09/17/11 (driver) $6,673 – Angels Diagnostics / Palmetto West Rehab (State Farm) M
Carlos Rodriguez Martinez, 54 - paper acct 07/04/11 (driver) $550 – Trans-Imaging Diagnostic Medical Center Corp (State Farm) M
Carlos Rodriguez Martinez, 54 - paper acct 09/24/11 (driver) $2,610 - Drs Professional Medical / B & A Diagnostic (State Farm) M
Carlos Rodriguez Martinez, 54 - paper acct 11/15/11 (driver) $1,830 – Health and Wellness Services (State Farm) M
Aces Dort, Jr, 23 - jump-in - $10,000 - Palm Beach Physical Medicine (Direct) W
Joseph Arthur Morgan, III, 27 - staged acct 04/10/07 (recruiter) - Broward Care Chiropractic (State Farm) B
Thinh Duc Tran, 41 - PIP patient - $2.963 - Brian Edwards, DC / Coral Springs Physicians Associates (Geico) B
Juan F Lopez Hincapie, 40 - massage therapist / clinic owner - $44,485 - Justin Medical Services (Geico / Kingsway Amigo) M
Juan F Lopez Hincapie, 40 - massage therapist / clinic owner - $30,460 - Justin Medical Services (Geico) M
Claude Mondesir, 40 – jump-in 09/20/11 - $8,425 – Total Rehabilitation & Wellness Center PA (Progressive) B
Doriel Rodriguez, 32 aka James Aliaga - paper acct 02/02/11 (driver) $7,649 - A & R Rehab Center (Allstate) M
Code – B (Broward) F (Ft Myers) J (Jacksonville) M (Miami) O (Orlando) P (Pensacola) TL (Tallahassee) T (Tampa/St Pete) W (West Palm Beach)
November 2012
Page 9
Statewide PIP Arrests – October 2012
Each issue will provide a list of PIP arrests made by the offices throughout the State. Along with each defendant’s name
and age, we will include: the type of scheme involved; the fraud dollar amount; clinic name(s); victim insurance company
name(s); and the arresting office. If you need additional details on any of these arrests, please contact Capt. Smith.
Doriel Rodriguez, 32 aka Jose Torres - paper acct 01/05/11 (driver) $1,912 - Good Hands Medical & Rehab Center (Allstate) M
Doriel Rodriguez, 32 aka James Aliaga - paper acct 02/03/11 (driver) $5,165 - D & L Chiro Center (Allstate) M
Yanet Pereira, 35 - PIP patient - $9,680 - Millennium Rehabilitation Center (Allstate) W
Andrew Douglas Whiffen, 23 - staged acct 10/16/11 (driver) $15,729 - Excellent Rehabilitation Center (Geico / State Farm) B
Nerber Alfonso Iglesias, 40 - clinic owner / patient brokering - $40,000 - Garden Relief Center, LLC (6 unk) T
Arrested in Jan 2011
Christal Raylene San, 27 - staged acct 01/20/09 (recruiter) $276,197 – Solution Care Center (Bristol West / GMAC / Seminole
Casualty) B
Arrested in Apr 2012
Royston G Franklin, 22 - fake ins card (Ocean Harbor) W
Arrested in May 2012
Sheretha Allen, 44 - fake ins card (Geico) W
Romondo Dean Ivey, 30 - fake ins card (Southern Group Indemnity) M
Arrested in July 2012
Javonta Jeffres Eugene, 19 - fake ins card (MGA) W
Arrested in Sept 2012
Shanna R Northern, 41 - fake ins card (Equity) W
Arrested in Tri-County Law Enforcement Sweep on 10/09/12
Freddie J Byard, Jr, 27 - fake ins card (Imperial)
Shelly Cooper Nichols, 29 - fake ins card (United States Auto)
Vanessa Ann Birch, 45 - fake ins card (MGA)
Code – B (Broward) F (Ft Myers) J (Jacksonville) M (Miami) O (Orlando) P (Pensacola) TL (Tallahassee) T (Tampa/St Pete) W (West Palm Beach)
On Veteran’s Day November 11,
please take a moment
to thank and remember all those
who have served our country
to protect our freedom, including the many
who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The PIP Source
Page 10
Statewide PIP Contacts
PANHANDLE REGION
Counties: Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf,
Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty,
Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton,
Washington
Tallahassee Field Office - 850.413.3115
Major Buddy HAND
Pensacola Field Office - 850.453.7802
Lt. Joseph HOLOKAN
NORTH REGION
Counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia,
Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Levy, Marion,
Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Union
Jacksonville Field Office - 904.798.5802
Capt. Brian McCOY
Lt. Kevin JONES
WEST CENTRAL REGION
Counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry,
Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk,
Sarasota
Tampa Field Office - 813.972.8602
Capt. Michael BYRNE
Lt. Carlos ROSARIO
Lt. Darrell WILSON
Fort Myers Field Office - 239.278.7527
Lt. Mark FRITZ
Copy goes her.
Editor’s
Corner
On page one, we cover an undercover
sting in Sarasota and the arrests of a clinic
owner and runner for patient brokering,
witnessed by Rep Jim Boyd (Bradenton).
On page two, we congratulate Miami’s Lt.
Violeta Serrano on her 500th arrest with
DIF, while covering the arrest of a
chiropractor and jump-ins statewide.
On page four, we feature another fugitive
from Insurance Fraud’s Most Wanted.
On page five, we turn the Spotlight onto
fake insurance cards.
As always, we report on PIP Fraud in the
News and the latest PIP-related arrests.
EAST CENTRAL REGION
Counties: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia
Orlando Field Office - 407.835.4402
Capt. Glen HUGHES
Lt. Jewel CAMERON
Lt. Paul MEYERS
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Counties: Broward, Highlands, Indian River, Martin,
Okeechobee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie
Plantation Field Office - 954.321.2902
Capt. John DYGON
Lt. Bill LEE
West Palm Beach Field Office - 561.837.5601
Lt. Evangelina BROOKS
SOUTH REGION
Counties: Dade, Monroe
Miami Field Office - 305.536.0302
Capt. Steven SMITH
Lt. Violeta SERRANO
Lt. Stanley JEAN-FELIX
Lt. Rafael DELGADO
South Florida Major Medical Fraud Task Force
Supervisory Special Agent Fred Burkhardt 954.329.7427
Central Florida Major Medical Fraud Task Force
Supervisory Special Agent Jose Olivier 813.558.6387