Ruiz submitted dozens of claim files to insurance

companies...totaling more than $361,880.

Franco submitted dozens of claim files to insurance

companies...totaling $297,677.

Volume 6 - Issue 8 February 2016

The Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) announced the arrest of two unlicensed clinic owners from Miami-Dade County. Noel Ruiz of Miami and Alberto B Franco of Hialeah were involved in a “straw owner” scheme that defrauded numerous insurance companies, resulting in more than $650,000 in financial losses.

An investigation led by DIF revealed that in the time between December 2012 and September 2014, Alberto Franco and Noel Ruiz both failed to carry the proper licensing required to own a rehab clinic and allegedly used a “straw owner” to bypass Florida’s licensing requirements.

A “straw owner” is a person who owns a business or property on someone else’s behalf. By portraying legal ownership of the property or business through legal documentation, the actual owner of the business is essentially left off of the books. In some cases, this scenario would occur as a legal way to keep the identity of the actual owner of the entity hidden. In other cases, a “straw owner” would act as a pawn to establish a business in order for unlicensed clinics to conduct nefarious or illegal transactions under a legitimate license.

DIF’s investigation revealed that Noel Ruiz was the actual owner of Rehab & Wellness Services, Inc, a physical therapy clinic in Miami. Ruiz submitted dozens of claim files to insurance companies for fictitious rehabilitative services totaling more than $361,880.

Alberto Franco was the actual owner of Magic Hands Rehabilitation Center Inc, another physical therapy clinic in Miami. Franco submitted dozens of claim files to insurance companies for illegitimate rehabilitative services totaling $297,677.

Both Ruiz and Franco were arrested January 14, 2016, and booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on charges of operating an unlicensed clinic, insurance fraud, grand theft, and organized scheme to defraud.

These cases are being prosecuted by the office of Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle and if convicted, Alberto Franco and Noel Ruiz face up to 30 years in prison.

See the press release at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/sitePages/newsroom/pressRelease.aspx?id=4618.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 Unlicensed Clinics

2 PIP Fraud News

3 Sledgehammer

9 Statewide Arrests

10 Most Wanted

11 Statewide Contacts

HEADER HERE DIF Arrests Two For Operating Unlicensed PIP Clinics in Miami

Page 2 The PIP Source

West Palm Beach Brothers Sentenced in Federal Fraud Case West Palm Beach brothers Janio Vico, 32, and Jharildan Vico, 34, were sentenced to 108 months in federal prison, the forfeiture of $1.87 million and restitution in the amount of $1.92 million, following their mail fraud and money laundering convictions. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ellen Cohen.

According to statements made in court and documents filed in the case, the Vicos established and operated an unlicensed health care clinic known as V & V Rehabilitation Center, for the purpose of defrauding at least 15 automobile insurance companies by submitting claims for personal injury protection (PIP). During a 20 month period, beginning December 2009, through at least October 4, 2011, the brothers received approximately $1.87 million in payments from automobile insurers for relying upon these fraudulent claims that were, in part, based upon staged accidents, real accidents resulting in no injuries, false documents submitted for non-existent treatment, and claims made through an unlicensed clinic. The scheme came about because the Vico brothers were paying claimants to appear at their clinic.

The Vico brothers claimed that formerly licensed chiropractor co-conspirator, Jennifer Adams, was the owner of V & V Rehabilitation Center in order to avoid obtaining a license and evade the scrutiny of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The evidence at trial showed that Janio Vico and Jharildan Vico were the true owners of the clinic which was unlicensed during time period charged. According to State of Florida laws, because the Vico brothers were the true owners and did not get a license in their names, the clinic was unlicensed and the claims to insurance companies were illegal.

This prosecution was the latest in the ongoing investigation of clinics established in the Palm Beaches to fraudulently bill automobile insurance companies for PIP claims in Operation Sledgehammer. As a result of that investigation, more than 100 individuals have been prosecuted for similar offenses. PIP provides $10,000 of insurance to individuals injured during automobile accidents in Florida regardless of blame, relying upon truthful submission of diagnosis, treatment orders and actual treatment documents provided to the insurance companies. Each time fraudulent claims are submitted, the price of automobile insurance is affected, resulting in higher premiums.

See the full press release at http://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/west-palm-beach-brothers-sentenced-prison-and-o r d e r e d - f o r f e i t - p r o p e r t y - f o l l o w i n g - m a i l a n d t h i s a r t i c l e a t h t t p : / /postoncourts.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2016/01/25/owner-of-rumbass-brother-handed-9-year-terms-in-scam/.

Update: Mikhail Zemlyansky Sentenced to 15 Years in NY Federal Case In a follow-up to the November 2015 story on Mikhail Zemylansky, we report that he was recently sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York said, “Driven by an insatiable greed, Mikhail Zemlyansky operated a sophisticated criminal enterprise that, during a five-year span, preyed on hundreds of innocent victims, reaping tens of millions of dollars in illicit proceeds. Zemlyansky’s criminal schemes were wide-ranging, from insurance and securities fraud to illegal gambling. Thanks to the tireless work of the prosecutors and our partners at the FBI and NYPD, justice has now been served for Zemlyansky.”

NICB Video - Staged Accidents in South Carolina The link below will direct you to a video from the National Insurance Crime Bureau on insurance fraud in South Carolina, which is now number seven in the nation for staged accidents.

Check it out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di-XhVQMiBo.

Radiology Centers Settles Case In Central Florida For $8.7 Million Rose Radiology Centers Inc. will pay $8.71 million to the government to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by billing federal health care programs for unnecessary radiology procedures. The settlement resolves several allegations involving medical care standards, false billings and "breaches of trust," according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. "There is no room for such practices in our public health care programs," U.S. Attorney Lee Bentley said in the release. The lawsuit claimed that Rose Radiology improperly billed for radiology procedures referred by chiropractors, which Medicare does not pay for. To circumvent this prohibition, the release said, Rose Radiology accepted orders from chiropractors and billed for them as if the tests were actually ordered by a Rose Radiology-employed physician.

See the press release at http://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/rose-radiology-centers-agree-pay-more-8-million-false-billing-medical-procedures-and and this story by Sara DiNatale the Tampa Bay Times at http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/rose-radiology-to-pay-almost-9-million-to-settle-false-billing-allegations/2263372.

PIP FRAUD – In The News

Page 3 February 2016

PIP FRAUD SPOTLIGHT ON – Operation Sledgehammer

This month we present an overview of one of the largest and most impactful cases involving PIP fraud in Florida. Dubbed Operation Sledgehammer, the four-year investigation, which was initiated in 2010, was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS-CI), the Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office. This investigation resulted in the arrests and convictions of nearly 100 persons involved in the $20 million scheme. As many as 86 different insurance carriers were defrauded by this mega scheme.

This was a massive, coordinated assault on an organized PIP fraud ring that hired chiropractors as straw owners and staged accidents to obtain patients and fraudulently bill insurance companies using the nearly two dozen clinics involved.

The PIP Source has published more than a dozen different items regarding the case in February, June and July 2012; January, June, August, October and November 2013; May, August and November 2014; and January 2015. Check out those issues for additional details.

The recent conviction and sentencing of the Vico Brothers (see page 2), who operated V & V Rehabilitation Center, brings the case to a close...almost. Six main players are pending trial; five fugitives who remain at large, all believed to have fled to and hiding in Cuba including Vladimir Lopez, Lazaro Vigoa, Dagoberto Milian Lopez, Obelio Rodriguez and Eduart Gonzalez. The sixth fugitive, Laz Rodriguez, was recently captured in Spain and is awaiting extradition to the United States.

We present this overview in an attempt to collect all relevant information on the subjects in one place for future reference.

We would also like to thank Investigative Specialist Yaneth Santiago with NICB for her assistance in compiling this information.

Page 4 The PIP Source

PIP FRAUD SPOTLIGHT ON – Operation Sledgehammer

Six of the seven chiropractors indicted in the case have been convicted. The chiropractors charged in this case were not strangers to the insurance fraud community or those that investigated them. Together, they were licensed in Florida for a total of 134 years prior to their arrests. Six have been sentenced to a total of 40 years in federal prison.

Jennifer Adams, licensed since 1999, sentenced to 54 months in prison

Herman J Diehl, licensed since 1998, sentenced to 108 months in prison

Aaron Gersh Freedlander, licensed since 1991, sentenced to 40 months in prison

Kenneth Gerald Karow, licensed since 1985, sentenced to 132 months in prison

Hal Mark Kreitman, licensed since 1995, sentenced to 96 months in prison

Lawrence Eric Schechtman, licensed since 2000, sentenced to 52 months in prison

while Laz David Rodriguez, licensed since 1983, is pending extradition and trial.

There were 17 persons who were charged in the case, who held one or more licenses with the Department of Health (DOH), including 11 licensed massage therapists, 4 registered chiropractic assistants and 1 x-ray machine operator.

Roberto Abreu, massage therapist licensed since 2010, placed into pre-trial diversion*

Jorge Luis Acosta, massage therapist licensed since 2010, sentenced to 36 months probation*

Juan Francisco Avon, certified chiropractic physician assistant since 2004, sentenced to 38 months in prison

Yida Bello, massage therapist licensed since 2008, sentenced to 60 months in prison

Oreste Rolando Chavez, massage therapist licensed since 2010, sentenced to 36 months in prison

Aureliano Diaz, massage therapist licensed since 2008, sentenced to 60 months in prison

Ketty Gonzalez, massage therapist licensed since 2006, sentenced to 30 months in prison

Lisbet Leon, registered chiropractic assistant since 2007, sentenced to 40 months in prison

Abner Llenderrozo, massage therapist licensed since 2008, sentenced to 38 months in prison

Moises Madrid, massage therapist licensed since 2008, sentenced to 24 months in prison

Maria C Molina, registered chiropractic assistant since 2010, sentenced to 48 months in prison

Elias Sebastian Munguia, basic x-ray machine operator, sentenced to 102 months in prison

Yenisleydi Ramos, massage therapist licensed since 2011, sentenced to 50 months in prison

Iris Roca, massage therapist licensed since 2008, sentenced to 50 months in prison

Olinda Rodriguez, massage therapist licensed since 2007, sentenced to 50 months in prison

Sircy Sacerio, registered chiropractic assistant since 2012, sentenced to 48 months in prison

Carmen Venegas, massage therapist licensed since 2009, sentenced to 60 months in prison

There were also five clinic employees charged in the case who did not hold any DOH license.

Maria Testa Baceiro, sentenced to 72 months in prison

Aleida L Capdevila, sentenced to 53 months in prison

Luis Ivan Hernandez, sentenced to 108 months in prison

Yuliet Tapanes, sentenced to 24 months in prison

Helenne Vazquez, sentenced to 22 months in prison

* prosecuted by Palm Beach County SAO

Page 5 February 2016

PIP FRAUD SPOTLIGHT ON – Operation Sledgehammer

These are the names of the clinics involved in Operation Sledgehammer. The tax identification numbers were gathered from Division of Corporations and/or ISO:

36 Rehabilitation Center Inc. (36RC) 6595 NW 36th Street, Suite 119, Virginia Gardens, FL 33166 (FEIN: 26-3790742) Chiropractic Office of South Florida, LLC (COSF) 3401 S. Congress Avenue, Suite 103, Palm Springs, FL 33461 (FEIN: 27-1463875) Eli Medical Center, Inc (ELI) 15373 SW 12 Terrace, Miami, FL 33194 (FEIN: 11-3684647) Elite Rehabilitation Services Center Inc (ELITE) (formerly Ultimate Rehabilitation Services Center Inc) 2125 10th Avenue North, Lake Worth Road, FL 33461 (FEIN: 26-4257103) Febre’s Medical Center Inc (FEBRES) 1870 Forest Hill Boulevard, Suite 207, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (FEIN: 80-1833755) Florida Mango Massage Therapy Center, Inc. (FMM) 1850 Forest Hill Boulevard, Suite 102, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (FEIN: 27-3394443) Florida Therapy & Rehab Center Inc. (FTRC) 1275 W 47th Place, Suite 420, Hialeah, FL 33012 (FEIN: 26-3564496) Forest Hill Rehabilitation Medical Center Inc (FHRM) 1870 Forest Hill Boulevard, Suite 208, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (FEIN: 27-1332781) Franco Chiropractor Center, Inc. (FRANCO) 1771 South Congress Avenue, Suite 7, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (FEIN: 20-5690164) Green Acres Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center, Inc. (GAFC) 6038 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, FL 33463 (FEIN: 26-1373137) Healthcare’R US, Inc (HRU) 2925 10th Avenue North, Unit 207, Palm Springs, FL 33461 (FEIN: 27-1432084) HHR Rehab Medical Center Inc. (HHR) 2393 S. Congress Avenue, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (FEIN: 27-3238700) Johnson Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (JRC) 428 South Congress Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (FEIN: 26-1219435) Karow Chiropractic Center, P.A. (KCC) 768 S. Congress Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (FEIN: 65-0066784) New York Medical & Rehab Center Inc. (NYMR) 1850 Forest Hill Boulevard, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (FEIN: 26-4206165) N & G Medical Center Inc (N&G) 6595 NW 36 Street, Suite 119, Virginia Gardens, FL 33166 (FEIN in ISO: 64-0950267) Omega Medical Diagnostic, Inc (OMD) 13248 SW 29 Street, Miami, FL 33175 (FEIN: 43-2035185) OVY Rehab Medical Center Inc. (OVY) 2393 S. Congress Avenue, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (FEIN: None listed) OVY Rehabilitation Medical Center Inc (OVY) 2393 S. Congress Avenue, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (FEIN: 27-1264837) Progressive Rehab Treatments Corp (PRTC) 4000 South 57 Avenue, Suite 202, Lake Worth, FL 33463 (FEIN in ISO: 27-2852469) Sunshine Therapy & Medical Center Inc. (STMC) 1401 S. Military Trail, #F2, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (FEIN: 26-1823523) Ultimate Rehabilitation Services Center Inc 2125 10th Ave North, Lake Worth, FL 33461 (FEIN: 26-4257103) Universal Rehab Med Group Inc (URMG) 2925 10th Avenue North, Suite 201 C, Lake Worth, FL 33461 (FEIN: 26-4445309) V & A Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (V&A) 760 South Congress Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (FEIN: 03-0549620) V and H Medical Center Inc. (V&H) 3900 NW 79 Avenue, Suite 515, Miami, FL 33166 (FEIN: 76-0767091)

Page 6 The PIP Source

PIP FRAUD SPOTLIGHT ON – Operation Sledgehammer

Included below are the additional culprits arrested in Operation Sledgehammer, with their sentences:

Persons involved in money laundering Staged accident organizers and recruiters

Daviel Castro Martinez, 58 months prison Gloria Patricia Cintron, 16 months prison

Yeisy Chouza, 40 months prison Amaury Tomas Contino, 58 months prison

Noelia Marichal, 48 months prison Julio Fernandez Delgado, time served

Yanet Hernandez Marichal, 42 months prison Gilda Garcia, 30 days prison

Maykel Marquez, 58 months prison Amaurys Hernandez, 30 months prison

Nelson Felix Martinez Torres, 70 months prison Ernesto Miralles, time served

Oscar Montiel Martinez, 76 months prison Alien Moya, 58 months prison

Teresita Mena, 66 months prison Ana Ovando, 78 months prison

Oscar Luis Franco Padron, 96 months prison Veronica Riofrio, 16 months prison

Wilfredo Sauceda, 40 months prison Joel Antonio Simon Rodriguez, 108 months prison

Joaquin Ross Vazquez, 51 months prison Javier de la Caridad Troncoso, 24 months probation

Janice Velez, 24 months prison

Staged accident participants

Rene Acquinos, 30 months probation* Yoana Paneca Oliver, pretrial diversion*

Jose Tomas Begas, nolle prossed* Ricardo Pargas, 48 months probation*

Yoel Bravo Navarro, 12 months probation* Omar Perez Cruz, nolle prossed*

Marinela Cedeno, 24 months probation* Alina Ramos, 24 months probation*

Yonuel Cedeno, nolle prossed* Monica Riveron, 24 months probation*

Camilo Escobar, pretrial diversion* Amado Rodriguez, 36 months probation*

Lilian Estevez, 18 months probation* Damarys Rodriguez Delgado, 18 months probation*

Alex Arnoldo Flores, 3 months prison Maitee Rodriguez, 30 months probation*

Alcides Arguelles Fonseca, nolle prossed* Marilu Aquila Rodriguez, 18 months probation*

Yankiel Fuentes, 12 months probation* Mario Jose Rodriguez, 18 months probation*

Irina Garcia Veiga, 18 months probation* Adriel Rojas, nolle prossed*

Idoleyvis Gutierrez, 24 months probation* Yesenia Rosado Chavez, pretrial diversion*

Isamaray Leiva, 18 months probation* Donicio Ruiz, 1 day jail*

Alfredo Linares, 18 months probation* Omar Sanchez, pretrial diversion*

Julio Martes, pretrial diversion* Mayleen Sepulveda, nolle prossed*

Luis Miranda, nolle prossed* Zachary Keith Stuhler, 36 months probation

Barbaro Montes de Oca, 30 months probation* Carmen Torres, 48 months probation*

Vivian Morales Torres, 24 months probation* Jose Velez Ramos, 18 months probation*

* prosecuted by Palm Beach County SAO

Page 7 February 2016

PIP FRAUD SPOTLIGHT ON – Operation Sledgehammer

Wild Stories This case also had its share of wild and outrageous stories. The case got its name because in one of the staged accidents, a participant used a sledgehammer to enhance the damage to one of the vehicles because the actual crash was not sufficient.

Another story included the conviction of two mothers who used their children as participants in staged accidents. Ana Ovando, 42, was sentenced to 78 months in prison for using her five children in three staged crashes, and Janice Velez, 39, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for using her two children in one staged accident. As it should, the justice system took these acts of child endangerment very seriously.

Finally, an interesting side-story involved the alligator whisperer. In October 2014, chiropractor Hal Kreitman was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for his role in the case. He was arrested a month later by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers in a sting operation on a felony conservation charge.

Read this related article at http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2014/10/hal_kreitman_a_bodybuilding_fetish-partying_ex-chiropractor_finds_new_life_swimming_with_wild_alliga.php.

Awards The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention

In October 2015, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch recognized 279 Justice Department employees and 33 individuals, including two people in the Southern District of Florida, with Attorney General Awards in Washington DC. These annual awards recognize department employees and other individuals for their dedication to carrying out the Department of Justice’s mission.

“The individuals being honored today stand out within a department that holds all of its employees and partners to an extremely high standard of excellence,” said Attorney General Lynch. “They have put in long hours, made immense sacrifices, and, in some cases, placed themselves in harm’s way. They have taken on issues that once seemed intractable, and made progress on problems that once seemed impossible. And their outstanding work is an inspiration to public servants everywhere.”

The Operation Sledgehammer investigative team were named winners of the Attorney General’s Award For Fraud Prevention. This award recognizes exceptional dedication and effort to prevent, investigate, and prosecute fraud, white collar crimes, and official corruption. Recipients included: FBI Special Agents Shaun P O’Neill, Craig B Stallings. Roger M Stevens, William Stewart, Frances Szczepanski and Jorge A Rivera; FBI Administrative Specialist Luz Delgado; IRS Special Agent Pamela Martin; NICB Supervisory Special Agent Fred Burkhardt and Special Agent Teresa Grimaldi (who had worked with DIF during the investigation); and Assistant US Attorneys Ann Marie Villafana and Evelio Jesus Yera.

FIFEC and Coalition Against Insurance Fraud

In June 2013, Assistant US Attorney Ann Marie Villafana was named Prosecutor of the Year by the Florida Insurance Fraud Education Committee (FIFEC). In December 2013, Villafana was named Prosecutor of the Year by the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud (CAIF) as well.

Additional Information For more details on any aspect of this case, please contact the Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF), or if you are a member company, contact the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

Page 8 The PIP Source

DIF Links To Remember

As a service to our readers who may have missed or wanted to see some important stories again, here are some links to some of our best, in both print and video:

March 2011: NICB Story on Operation Dark Horizon

https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/multimedia?media=c42f5080-2735-4665-a152-c8fcf88ba777

January 2012: CBS Story on PIP Fraud in Florida (Tampa)

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/scammers-cash-in-on-car-accidents/

Protect Yourself Against Staged Crashes - Joint FHP / DIF website

http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/misc/StagedCrashes.htm.

October 2013: ABC Nightline on Operation No Med Services, one of the best produced stories on PIP fraud in Florida

http://abcnews.go.com/US/florida-authorities-battle-lucrative-crime-rings-insurance-fraud/story?id=20659399

May 2013: Operation Sledgehammer arrests (NBC WPTV Palm Beach)

http://www.wptv.com/news/insurance-fraud-ring-busted-operation-sledgehammer-leads-to-dozens-of-arrests

August 2013: Press release by the US Attorney’s Office on the sentencing of chiropractor Stephen Lovell

http://www.justice.gov/usao/flm/press/2013/aug/20130814_Lovell.html.

March 2014: NICB and Florida Authorities Work to Stop PIP Clinics and Staged Accidents (Jacksonville)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3WxZtyzT9k&feature=youtube_gdata.

January 2015: Sun-Sentinel - Plundering America Part II

http://interactive.sun-sentinel.com/plundering-america/index.html

January 2015: Sun-Sentinel - Plundering America Part II

http://interactive.sun-sentinel.com/plundering-america/two.html

January 2015: Sun-Sentinel - Plundering America Part III

http://interactive.sun-sentinel.com/plundering-america/three.html

March 2015: Sun Sentinel - Plundering America video (Sledgehammer was a part of this bigger story)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDz_aFdzVxQ

May 2015: Operation Sledgehammer (CBS WPEC TV Palm Beach)

http://www.cbs12.com/news/features/special-reports/stories/vid_112.shtml

July 2015: The episode of A&E American Takedown on Operation Cold Call (log-in subscription may be required)

http://www.aetv.com/american-takedown/season-1/episode-3

Page 9 February 2016

Statewide PIP Arrests – January 2016

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.

Evelyn Rachel Tette, 30 - fake ins card (Windhaven) T

Sharnele Madeline Henry, 27 - sale of fake ins card (Unitrin Direct) O

Erica Chavon Cloma, 33 - fake ins card (Geico) T

Julisa Raquel Kenon, 27 - jump-in 12/06/14 (Geico) T

James Frank Dalvia, 69 - false damage claim - $1,764 (21st Century) T

Dennis Altravious Jenkins, 33 - false police report (Geico) O

Yolanda La Quanta Bell, 33 - false police report (Geico) O

Tomas Manuel Ramos, 63 - staged acct 08/19/11 (driver) $34,926 – EMED / Health Point Injury Center / One Touch Therapy Center (AGIC / Geico) J

Jorge Luis Lopez Hidalgo, 47 - staged acct 08/19/11 (passenger) $34,926 – EMED / Health Point Injury Center / One Touch Therapy Center (AGIC / Geico) J

David Rodriguez, 49 - fake ins card (Mendota) O

Yamile Lopez, 43 - staged acct 08/19/11 (driver) $34,926 – EMED / Health Point Injury Center / One Touch Therapy Center (AGIC / Geico) J

Alberto B Franco, 28 - unlicensed clinic owner - $258,055 - Magic Hands Rehabilitation Center (Esurance / Progressive / United Auto) M

Noel Ruiz, 50 - unlicensed clinic owner - $361,880 - Rehab & Wellness Services (Esurance / Geico / Progressive / United Auto) M

Isabel Zapata, 35 - staged acct 08/19/11 (passenger) $34,926 – EMED / Health Point Injury Center / One Touch Therapy Center (AGIC / Geico) J

Neochee Leecassandra Garcia, 31 - false claim vehicle damage - $2,989 (USAA) O

Xiomara Elia Hidalgo, 70 - staged acct 08/19/11 (passenger) $34,926 – EMED / Health Point Injury Center / One Touch Therapy Center (AGIC / Geico) J

Samantha Agustin, 25 - application fraud (Progressive) T

Johnson Maxius, 23 - staged acct 05/10/12 (driver) $40,233 - Healing Chiropractic / Health Plus Chiropractic (Geico / Mercury) O

Tanisha Kallama Todman, 27 - application fraud (Geico) B

Yamir Ferro, 32 - staged acct 01/27/12 (passenger) $44,365 - Magic Spot Medical Center (Esurance) M

Gerald Andre, 38 - staged acct 05/10/12 (recruiter) $40,233 - Healing Chiropractic / Health Plus Chiropractic (Geico / Mercury) O

Sharieka Traneice Davis, 33 - jump-in 03/12/15 - $0 (Allstate / Geico) J

Shaaban Mohamed Omar Mohamed, 49 - application fraud (Gainsco) O

Sophie Clara Newton, 23 - false claim vehicle damage (USAA) TL

Alain de la Rosa, 34 - false claim vehicle damage - $2,399 (Infinity) M

Samuel Rodriguez, 30 - application fraud (Progressive) B

Samuel Rodriguez, 30 - application fraud (Nationwide) B

Keshia Marie Remy, 28 - false claim pedestrian - $0 (Direct General) 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)

Page 10 The PIP Source

Statewide PIP Arrests – January 2016

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.

Fetneh Adel Alshami, 51 - PIP patient - $2,840 - Integrated Healing Clinic (Esurance) T

Waleed Mohamed Abd Elrahman, 30 - PIP patient - $802 - Integrated Healing Clinic (Geico) T

Roy G Johnson, 39 - application fraud (Progressive) P

Therese Michelle Johnson, 37 - application fraud (Progressive) P

Stephanie Perez, 27 - application fraud (Esurance) O

Naomi Vantessa Anderson, 27 - staged acct 05/10/12 (passenger) $40,233 - Healing Chiropractic / Health Plus Chiropractic (Geico / Mercury) O

Code – B (Broward) F (Ft Myers) J (Jacksonville) M (Miami) O (Orlando) P (Pensacola) TL (Tallahassee) T (Tampa/St Pete) W (West Palm Beach)

Check out the DFS Most Wanted at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/PressOffice/MostWanted/

Roilan Pineiro White Hispanic Male, 39 years old 5’8”, 210 lbs, Brown Eyes, Brown Hair Warrant Information: Warrant/Case #: Felony Warrant Charges: Staged Accident, Insurance Fraud and Grand Theft Details: The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) is attempting to locate Roilan Pineiro in reference to the outstanding warrant. Pineiro is wanted for his role in multiple PIP fraud related crimes, including organizing a staged accident. Pineiro has yet to be found since his warrant was issued in June 2015. His warrant is full extradition. Pineiro is believed to have fled the country to Central America. If you know where Pineiro can be located, please contact the Division of Insurance Fraud at 1-800-378-0445.

Copy goes her. Editor’s Corner On page 1, we cover the arrests of two owners of unlicensed clinics in Miami.

Starting on page 3, we present an overview of Operation Sledgehammer.

As always, we present another fugitive in Most Wanted and report on PIP Fraud in the News and the latest PIP-related arrests.

Page 11 February 2016

DISTRICT I Major Michael BYRNE

PANHANDLE REGION Counties: Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton, Washington

Pensacola Field Office - 850.453.7802 Capt. David LINDSAY Lt. Sandra FITZSIMONS Tallahassee Field Office - 850.413.3115 Lt. Michael SMITH

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

NORTH CENTRAL REGION Counties: Brevard, Hillsborough, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia

Orlando Field Office - 407.835.4402 Capt. Evangelina BROOKS Lt. Laquanda GREEN Lt. John SAVINO

WEST CENTRAL REGION Counties: DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Manatee, Pasco, Pinel-las, Polk, Sarasota

Tampa Field Office - 813.972.8602 Capt. Darrell WILSON Lt. Carlos ROSARIO St Petersburg Field Office - 727.563.1142 Lt. Carl LANE

DISTRICT II Major Rafael DELGAGO

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION Counties: Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie

West Palm Beach Field Office - 561.837.5601 Capt. Ted PADICH Lt. James FEENEY Ft. Lauderdale Field Office - 954.958.5402 Lt. Bill LEE Ft. Myers Field Office - 239.278.7527 Lt. Glen CLASEN

SOUTH REGION Counties: Dade, Monroe

Miami Field Office - 305.536.0302 Capt. Steven SMITH Capt. Missael DIAZ Lt. Violeta SERRANO Acting Lt. Erik CRUZ South Florida Major Medical Fraud Task Force Supervisory Special Agent Fred Burkhardt 847.544.7141 Central Florida Major Medical Fraud Task Force Supervisory Special Agent Jose Olivier 847.282.7404

Statewide PIP Contacts