Three Charged in Insurance Fraud Investigation in FL

According to officials, a multi-agency undercover investigation in Winter Haven, FL has led to three arrests. The perpetrators are being charged with several offenses, including filing false insurance claims to two insurance companies for services that never actually happened.

According to the Orlando Sentinel and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, an undercover officer from the Florida Division of Insurance Fraud and the National Insurance Crime Bureau was placed in Whitfield Chiropractic and Massage PLCC and observed several employees making fraudulent claims.

Alexis Lambert, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Financial Services, said deputies received a tip about possible criminal activity at the business in November.

A spokeswoman for the local sheriff’s office, Carrie Eleazer, stated that Glenn Moore, a licensed massage therapist from Lakeland, falsely documented that he performed several therapies on the undercover officer.

Eleazer also noted that Maniacline “Maya” François, who is an administrative assistant at the clinic, was in charge of submitting the false personal-injury protection claims to Bristol West Insurance.

Detectives noted that, together, François and Moore billed the company for over $1,000 worth of services that they never provided.

According to ABC News:

Investigators found that from November to December 2010, Moore was fraudulently documenting services he did not render, such as massage therapy, electrical muscular stimulation, thermal treatments, and therapeutic exercises. Francois would then complete PIP (personal injury protection) insurance claims for the services and submit them to Bristol West Insurance for money.

The investigation also led to another Whitfield employee, Luther Crispin of Ocoee. He was charged with patient brokering because he is said to have approached a couple involved in a car accident on April 4, 2010, saying that they would be compensated if they agreed to receive “treatment” at his clinic, the Wellness Center of Tampa (which is also located in Winter Haven).

The couple, who were identified as Cedric and Stacy Washington of Lakeland, told the investigators that four days later, they were approached by Luther Crispin and Sylvestere, who offered the couple $1000 each to get treatment at the Wellness Center of Tampa as a result of the crash.

Crispin even reportedly offered to drive them back and forth from the clinic.

From April to July 2010, the Washington’s received payments in $100 increments, totaling $2000, to come into the clinic and fill out paperwork claiming they had been treated for pain for cash.

Over $27,000 was billed by the clinic to “Sentry Insurance” for treatment.

The Washington’s cooperated with detectives and were treated as witnesses.

Lambert stated that yet another employee named Wilson Crispin was also charged with obstruction of justice for his role in the alleged crimes. The State of Florida Division of Insurance Fraud has issued an arrest warrant for another accomplice, Jean Claude Sylvestere, who is accused of participating in Crispin’s scheme, and is thought to have fled to Haiti.

François was taken into custody and charged with one count of Insurance Fraud.

Moore was arrested and charged with nine counts of Insurance Fraud and one count of Organized Scheme to Defraud.

Crispin was also arrested and charged with one count Patient Brokering.

Detectives have seized all of the office records and are currently looking for evidence of other crimes.