“Crash For Cash” Nabs Another Clinic

The war against the much publicized staged auto accident ring dubbed “Operation Crash for Cash” continued in Florida after another clinic in West Tampa was raided and shut down for its alleged participation in defrauding insurance companies by staging car accidents.

According to the PR Newswire, Medical Rehab Choice was raided and shut down last week after a three-month undercover investigation.  The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office also announced the arrests of four individuals connected with the clinic as a result of the probe.

 “On July 16, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office raided Medical Rehab Choice, 3104 West Waters Avenue, #200, as part of a three-month undercover probe into staged car crashes and medical clinic fraud. Investigators uncovered evidence that people involved in staging auto accidents were associated with the clinic, and also found discrepancies in medical bills submitted to auto insurers for treatments that supposedly occurred.”

“Arrested during the raid were Jacqueline Rosales, 27, a receptionist, and Sugeidi Serrano, 32, a licensed medical technician, on charges of operating a Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO). Not at the scene but also facing RICO charges were Juan Martinez, 28, the clinic manager, and Ernie Azucey, 25, also a licensed medical technician. The racketeering charges the four face are similar to those that law enforcement agencies often file against criminals involved in organized crime or drug trafficking rings.”

Florida was ranked number one for staged car accidents by the NICB in May, with Tampa dubbed as the second worst city in the US for staged car accidents.  Last week’s raid was part of Florida’s ongoing crackdown on staged car accidents and medical clinic fraud rings.  Over 50 arrests were announced in April after an eight-month probe dubbed “Operation Crash for Cash”.  This latest raid is another win for Florida insurers and law enforcement as they continue to step up their efforts to combat fraud. Staged accidents are not only expensive to the carriers and policy holders, but they are also very dangerous. Not only do those who willingly participate in the staged accidents put themselves at risk, people who are unwillingly involved in the accidents are often injured or sometimes killed as well. Chalk another one up for the good guys.