Man Surrenders to Authorities on WC Charges

Arley John Ronsonet, 29, surrendered to authorities in Sacramento, Calif., after an investigation by the California Department of Insurance (CDI) Fraud Division revealed three felony counts of insurance fraud.

Ronsonet allegedly told doctors, his employer, and an insurance company that he broke his left ankle while working. CDI Fraud investigators revealed that Ronsonet was actually reportedly engaged in horseplay with a co-worker while at work when injured.

If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $50,000.

Rosemead Broker Arrested for Grand Theft, Forgery

A former insurance broker has been arrested on nine felony counts of grand theft and one felony count of forgery totaling $73,990, according to CDI investigators.

Ronald Nhi Bang, 34, allegedly collected premiums from at least nine business owners and issued false insurance policies and certificates, leaving victims without valid business insurance and forcing policies to be canceled for non-payment. Further evidence suggests Bang reportedly inflated the true premium rates by at least $10,000, causing victims to overpay for the coverage.

Bang, who specialized in commercial line insurance, was arrested Aug. 12. He operated an insurance agency in Rosemead where a majority of his victims were of Chinese descent. Bang allegedly admitted the wrongdoings to some of the business owners and agreed to refund their money. However, only one victim received a partial refund to date. The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office in Pasadena prosecuted the case and bail was set at $500,000.

Couple Faces Five Years for WC Fraud

A Grass Valley, Calif., couple faces up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $50,000 after an investigation by CDI Fraud Investigators resulted in multiple felony counts of workers' compensation insurance fraud against the pair.

Jack Herrera, 25, and Cristalle Salas-Gilbert, 23, reportedly conspired to create a phony workers' compensation policy, and file a fraudulent workers' comp claim. Salas-Gilbert allegedly claimed to be the owner of a business called "Credit Care." She said Herrera (her live-in boyfriend) was her employee and that he had been injured on the job at Credit Care.

An investigation revealed that Herrera was reportedly on house arrest at the time of the alleged injury and was unable to leave his house without permission from his probation officer. Investigators also found no proof that "Credit Care" existed, suggesting that it was allegedly created only on paper and for the sole purpose of committing workers' comp insurance fraud.

The pair surrendered to authorities on Sept. 12 and appeared for arraignment in a Nevada County Superior Court. The Nevada County District Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case.

L.A. Man Pleads No Contest

A Los Angeles man pleaded no contest to two felony counts of insurance fraud after CDI Fraud investigators determined that he misrepresented injuries allegedly sustained in his workplace. Tommie
Lee Robinson, 55, claimed he injured himself while moving materials in his position as a Quality Control Inspector at Cherokee International, a manufacturing company in Irvine, Calif. Robinson was sentenced on Sept. 17 in Orange County Superior Court to 90 days in jail and ordered to pay $11,562 in restitution, $200 in fines, and serve three years formal probation.

Investigators found that in April 1998 Robinson reported the injury to his supervisor and was referred to a physician for evaluation and treatment. Robinson returned to modified work duties, but continued to complain of pain, eventually requiring back surgery in 2001. During his deposition on the injury Robinson stated that he always used his cane to walk. However, a two-month hidden videotape investigation in 2001 reportedly revealed that Robinson walked without a cane and without any signs of discomfort.

The treating physician's original diagnosis of a 100 percent disability rating would have provided Robinson a payment of $20,000 per year for the remainder of his life and would have cost the insurance company approximately $250,000. After reviewing the videotape, the physician changed Robinson's disability rating to 24 percent, and Robinson settled his injury claim at a total cost of $14,500.

Calif. Trio Pleads Guilty to Scheme

Three men pleaded guilty to multiple felony counts on Sept. 10 involving an automobile insurance fraud scam that was exposed during a three-year joint investigation by CDI, California Highway Patrol, National Insurance Crime Bureau, Franchise Tax Board and the California State Bar.

Turhan John Dominic Folse, 56, Michael Luther, DDS, 61, and Milton Ware, 59, were charged in relation to the investigation. Folse, of Marina Del Rey, reportedly acted as an attorney, settling automobile insurance claims. He is not licensed with the California State Bar. Investigators said Folse admitted committing automobile insurance fraud for over 18 years and to falsifying information with the aid of Luther. In the investigation, the medical reports prepared by Luther in all of the claims were reportedly virtually identical. Ware was a claimant in one of the claims and allegedly fraudulently assisted Folse in settling his claim.

Folse pleaded guilty to three felony counts of insurance fraud, two felony counts of identity theft, one felony count of grand theft, and two felony counts of failing to file taxes with the Franchise Tax Board. He was sentenced to 479 days in the county jail, $200 in restitution, three years of formal probation and the forfeiture of approximately $567,000.

Luther and Ware pleaded guilty to one felony count of insurance fraud each. Luther was sentenced to three years formal probation and restitution of $200. Ware was sentenced to time served, three years formal probation and restitution of $200. The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office prosecuted the
case.

Orange County Man Charged with Grand Theft

A former Yorba Linda, Calif. insurance agent was arrested at his home recently after allegedly collecting $6,800 in insurance premiums but never placing the insurance order to obtain coverage.

Gregory Baker, 51, was charged with one felony count of grand theft after investigators alleged that he fraudulently collected premiums from one client for three years. The client eventually suffered an uninsured loss.

Baker was booked into the Orange County Jail on $35,000 bail. The Orange County District Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case.