JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A sting at a local accident clinic has led to the arrests of 19 people. The owner of the clinic, Valerie Marshall and 18 others were arrested for insurance fraud. Marshall is a massage therapist and owner of the Indian Rehabilitation Center, Inc.
Investigators say Marshall and the others staged accidents so they could submit fraudulent therapy reports for patients who never received treatment. These reports were used to file fraudulent Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claims with several insurance companies.
“These large-scale accident clinics are at the root of the PIP fraud problem in Florida,” Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said. “We must stay one step ahead of the ring leaders who are orchestrating these schemes. We will continue to take out these PIP fraud rings so that Florida drivers are protected and safe on the roads.”
The following clinic employees, suspected participants and recruiters were also arrested: Yokayra Ramos, Roscoe Sawyer, Jr., Edgard Fernandez-Romans, David Arteaga Torres, Kenneth Carrerro, Jonathan Robinson, Calvin Grier, Tara Buck, Niko Semedo, Tawaub Zahir, Samantha Daniels, Kathy Adams, Yilan Espinosa, Connor Certo, Tara Buck, Lester Lopez, Craig Graves and Ernando Valentin.
Anyone with information about suspected insurance fraud is asked to call 1-800-378-0445. You will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward for up to $25,000.
