- Workers Comp Fraud - Martha P. O'Neill, 40, of San Francisco, has been arraigned on 49 felony counts of alleged workers' compensation insurance premium fraud and employment tax fraud, according to the California Department of Insurance. O'Neill was arrested on Aug. 2, 2006, in Atlanta and remained in custody with a $1 million bail until she was arraigned at the San Francisco Hall of Justice. O'Neill is the corporate officer of Avoca Trucking and Excavating (AT&E) company.
- Workers Comp Fraud - A Lake Charles, La., man pleaded guilty to felony insurance fraud Aug. 21 following a surveillance investigation by Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation (LWCC) and a series of court rulings favorable to the company.
- Grand Theft, Perjury, Transacting Bail Without A License - Kent Morgan, 43, of Murrieta, and owner of Rancho Bail Bonds, surrendered to authorities on August 14 after being charged with 40 felony counts by the Riverside County District Attorney’s office. The charges include grand theft and permitting an unlicensed person to transact bail. Morgan was released on $100,000 bond. If convicted, he could face probation or up to 29 years in prison. Kenneth Kaesser, 63, of Chula Vista, surrendered on August 16 and was also released on $100,000 bond. He was charged with 20 felony counts including transacting bail without a license and perjury. He will be arraigned on August 22 in the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta. If convicted, he could face probation or up to 15 years in prison.
- Bogus Auto Insurance Claim - A 29-year-old Louisiana man has been arrested for filing a bogus auto insurance claim in an attempt to defraud his insurance company, state police said Aug. 23.
- Husband Kills Woman For Life Insurance Money - It took jurors only three hours earlier this week before returning the guilty verdict against Michael B. Smith, 61, after hearing 10 days of testimony. Prosecutors maintained that Smith killed his 55-year-old wife, Linda, as their business was failing and he wanted to collect more than $300,000 from her life insurance policies.
- Conspiracy & Health Care Claims Fraud - An Essex County, N.J. chiropractor has been charged with conspiracy and health care claims fraud in a $19,000 automobile insurance case, according to state officials. Attorney General Zulima V. Farber and Division of Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw reported that Eugene Williams, also known as Carroll E. Williams, 69, last known address is in Newark, was charged with conspiracy and health care claims fraud, both in the second degree. Under state law, crimes of the second degree carry a maximum punishment of 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of $150,000. In addition, Williams faces civil insurance fraud fines.
