How Are We Doing?
Some Current Statistics

Arrests and Convictions: 1997 – 1999

• The Frauds Bureau chalked up a record 390 arrests during 1999, up from 371 in 1998 and 276 in 1997. This represents an increase of 40% since 1997 and 240% since the beginning of the Pataki Administration.

• The Bureau investigated two cases in 1999 under the Organized Crime Control Act (OCCA) that contributed to the record number of arrests. One covert operation led to the closing of six illegal medical mills. A 104-count indictment revealed a $5 million scheme that involved steerers, forged prescriptions, bogus medical tests and staged accidents. Four major insurers have filed a $15 million Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) lawsuit against the defendants who have already pled guilty. The second case resulted in shutting down a jetski distribution network and led to the indictment of 55 individuals on charges of criminal enterprise, insurance fraud and other crimes.

• In addition, the number of criminal convictions that prosecutors obtained in Frauds Bureau cases totaled 194 during 1999, up from 101 in 1998 and more than double the 88 convictions recorded during 1997. The Bureau has been conducting an outreach program to help forge strong professional relationships with district attorneys across the State. The program has begun to bear fruit as reflected in our year-end statistics.

• The number of suspected insurance fraud reports the Bureau received decreased for the second consecutive year in 1999, declining from 23,210 in 1997 and 21,170 in 1998.