Arrests for February 2005
These arrests were made possible through the cooperation of the Frauds Bureau, law enforcement, the insurance industry and the public.
To report suspected incidents of insurance fraud, call 1-888-FRAUDNY
CAUGHT!
*********************************************
-
GUILTY
Brian Calen of Dobbs Ferry, NY, pled guilty on 2/1/05 to insurance fraud in the 2nd degree. He was arrested on 12/11/03 for filing fraudulent insurance claims on four different occasions. In October 1985, he submitted a claim to Travelers Insurance Company stating that while on vacation, a sun filter slipped off the lens of a telescope causing the loss of sight in his right eye. In June 1992, he filed a claim with BCS Insurance Company maintaining that he sustained a solar burn causing the loss of sight in his right eye. He received an initial payment of $25,000 from BCS and an additional payment of $57,000 in settlement of a civil suit. In March 1997, he filed claims with J.C. Penney Life and U.S. Life Insurance Companies, stating that while on a cruise ship, a bottle of champagne exploded, striking him in the right eye and causing loss of sight. He received $500,000 from each carrier. Then, in April 2002 he again filed a claim, this time with National Union Fire Insurance Company, stating that while on a cruise ship he was struck by a Frisbee, leading to blindness in his right eye. A claim for $500,000 was not paid in this case. The Frauds Bureau conducted the investigation that led to his arrest.
-
ABSENT
Arrested on 2/27/05
Charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy
An investigation by the Frauds Bureau and the Suffolk County DA’s Insurance Crime Bureau led to the arrest of a Russian native who is suspected of participating in a no-fault fraud ring on Long Island. Investigators apprehended the defendant at Kennedy Airport as he was about to flee the country. He participated in a number of staged accidents and then filed phony no-fault insurance claims. The specific case he was charged in involved a rear-end collision on the Sagtikos Parkway in December 2001. The defendant’s nephew, also arrested but not charged, claimed to be the driver and the defendant the passenger. In reality, the nephew was the passenger and the defendant was not even in the car.
- MATERIAL MISREPRESENTATION
Arrested on 2/25/05
Charged with insurance fraud in the 3rd degree and attempted grand larceny in the 3rd degree
The defendant in this case reported to the Rochester Police Department on 3/20/04 that his 1990 Lexus LS 400 was stolen from his driveway. He subsequently filed an $8,500 claim with Progressive Insurance Company for the loss. In support of his claim, he submitted written statements that contained allegedly material misrepresentation of the facts surrounding the loss of the car. His arrest was the result of a joint investigation by the Frauds Bureau, the Rochester Police Department and the State Police Auto Theft Unit, in conjunction with Progressive’s SIU.
-
A COUPLE OF FRAUDSTERS
Arrested on 2/17/05
Charged with grand larceny, criminal impersonation, scheme to defraud and falsifying business records
A Pennsylvania couple was accused of collecting premiums, issuing fraudulent auto insurance identification cards and bogus insurance policies to hundreds of unsuspecting victims in the Orange County area who subsequently had their policies canceled for nonpayment of premiums. They pocketed most of the money they took in. The Frauds Bureau, the New York Auto Insurance Plan and the State Police pooled resources in the investigation that led to the arrests. An Orange County grand jury indicted the pair after hearing testimony from the victims. The man was arrested on February 17; the woman had already surrendered herself in Orange County Superior Court on February 8.
- NO ACCIDENT
Arrested on 2/10/05
Charged with insurance fraud and falsifying business records
This suspect applied for no-fault benefits stating that injuries he incurred were the result of an auto accident. However, following an investigation by the Frauds Bureau and the NYPD’s Fraudulent Accident Investigation Squad, he confessed that his injuries had nothing to do with an auto accident. A second suspect in this case was arrested on 2/1/05 and charged with insurance fraud.
- WELL ABLE
Arrested on 2/8/05
Charged with grand larceny in the 3rd degree, insurance fraud in the 3rd degree, offering a false instrument for filing in the 1st degree and violation of the Workers’ Compensation Law
A Rome, NY, man began collecting disability benefits after sustaining a work-related injury in 1987. On numerous occasions over the intervening years, he submitted documents to the State Insurance Fund stating that he was not employed in any capacity and was not receiving any income other than his disability benefits. However, an investigation by the Frauds Bureau, the State Insurance Fund and the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General’s Office uncovered evidence that he had returned to work and as a result received nearly $11,600 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
-
NO COVERAGE
Arrested on 2/7/05
Charged with insurance fraud, criminal possession of a forged instrument, grand larceny and theft
An investigation by the Frauds Bureau and the State Insurance Fund revealed that the defendant in this case forged Certificates of Insurance, using the name of a legitimate company that was not his own, as evidence of workers’ compensation coverage.
PRIOR SUPPLEMENTS
JANUARY 2005
-
STAGED ACCIDENT
Arrested on 1/17/05
Charged with insurance fraud and falsifying business records
This suspect allegedly took part in a staged accident. He then applied for and received medical benefits under the no-fault portion of his auto insurance coverage for injuries purportedly sustained in the accident. He was arrested following an investigation by the Frauds Bureau and the NYPD’s Fraudulent Accident Investigation Squad.
OCTOBER 2004
-
UNNECESSARY TREATMENT
Arrested on 10/7/04
Charged with insurance fraud and falsifying business records
An investigation by the Frauds Bureau and the NYPD’s Fraudulent Accident Investigation Squad resulted in the arrest of a Bronx man for his part in a staged accident scheme. He sought and received $3,000 in medical treatment for injuries he claimed were the result of the phony accident.
