Over-prescribing doctor tops Florida list of 10 ‘costliest, boldest’ scammers

The Florida Department of Financial Services has released its “Top-10 Fraud List,” summarizing the 10 costliest or boldest scams investigated resulting in convictions from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006:

‘Top-10 Fraud List’

1. First do no harm–Dr. Thomas Merrill was convicted in Apalachicola on 98 felony counts for over-prescribing controlled substances to patients, six of whom died of drug overdoses.
2. Classic Ponzi scheme –In Palm Beach, Tho-mas A. Masciarelli and Steven P. Petrarca, received 25 years for offering 30 investors a 9 percent return, never investing the funds and diverting $1.2 million.
3. Preying on the elderly–Brian Lee Shechtman, a former Hollywood insurance agent, switched health insurance to low-cost policies, overbilled and applied for other policies. He received 30 months in prison for defrauding 1,200 South Florida seniors, with 15 years probation and must pay $1.4 million in restitution.
4. Empty promises–Carmelo Zanfei and William Paul Crouse sold bogus health insurance plans in Florida and 43 other states. The principals of TRG Marketing, LLC, were sentenced last August to two years and four years in prison, respectively.
5. A friend indeed–Charles “Gary” Cowden, of Sanford, faces six to eight years in prison. He bilked a friend and others out of over $1 million for fictitious annuities.
6. Sing it from the rooftop–Todd Woods, owner of A-1 Construction, presented certificates of liability insurance to a roofing contractor, the City of St. Cloud, and Osceola County, but it was valid only in Louisiana. He must participate in the Pre-Trial Diversion Program and pay a $10,000 fine and investigative costs.
7. Trust fund tackle–Louanne Hickey stole more than $140,000 from John Galletta Jr., a St. Johns County attorney. She received 10 years probation, with three years on community control and must pay $42,000.
8. ‘Churning’ sensation–Tampa Insurance Agent Herman Roger Letchworth III churned thousands of dollars by pilfering and falsifying 60 customers life insurance applications. He was convicted of insurance fraud and ordered to pay $81,000.
9. A cash infusion–Michael Andre Griffin of Tampa approached patients at St. Anthony’s Out-Patient Clinic offering $100 a week and grocery coupons to seek HIV treatment at North Tampa Medical Center. Griffin received 151 days in county jail.
10. Double rip-off — A dozen individuals pleaded guilty to buying the identities of customers at a Miami auto dealership and creating driver’s licenses for imposters to present at area clinics.

Topics Florida