Ky. Fraud Unit Unveils October Charges, Convictions

The Kentucky Insurance Fraud Investigation Division has released its charges and conviction report for the month of October. The report includes the following reported criminal activity:

Leland Basham – On or about June 19, 2004, Basham presented a fake insurance ID card to an Assistant Jefferson County Attorney after receiving a citation for no insurance. On 10/5/04, Basham was charged with one felony count of fraudulent insurance acts in Jefferson District Court.

Joseph Charbel – Charbel presented a fraudulent certificate of workers’ compensation insurance to the Fayette Urban County Building Permit Office in order to obtain 7 building permits when there was no insurance in force. On 7/2/04, Charbel was charged with 7 felony counts of fraudulent insurance acts in Fayette District Court.

Debra Curran – Between February and November 2003, Curran filed three false claims with CIGNA for reimbursement of medical treatment she never received. On 10/8/04, Curran was charged with 3 felony counts of fraudulent insurance acts in Montgomery Circuit Court.

Michael Holt – While drawing temporary total disability for a work related back injury, Holt went to work for another employer. On 5/25/04, Holt was charged with one felony count of fraudulent insurance acts in Jefferson Circuit Court.

Jeffery Landers – Landers presented a fake or counterfeit certificate of insurance to Belco Electric Co. that purported to evidence workers’ compensation insurance. On 5/25/04, Landers was charged with one felony count of fraudulent insurance acts in Jefferson Circuit Court.

Bernard Gordon – Between Oct. 31, 2000, and March 23, 2001, Gordon collected approximately $11,222 in premiums but failed to forward the premiums to the insurance carrier American International Group. On 9/28/04, Gordon pled guilty to one felony count of fraudulent insurance acts in Jefferson Circuit Court. He was sentenced to one year to run concurrently with a previous sentence and probated. He was ordered to pay restitution to AIG in the amount of $11,222.

Jonathan Bradley – On or about March 1, 2004, Bradley presented a fake insurance ID card to the Carter County Clerk in order to register his vehicle. On 9/20/04, Bradley pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of fraudulent insurance acts. He was sentenced to 365 days conditionally discharged for one year and ordered to pay a $500 fine ($1,000 with $500 suspended) to the Fraud Division.

Alan M. Scott – On or about Sept. 12, 2001, Scott presented two fraudulent receipts for room rental expenses to State Farm as part of a fire loss claim. Scott received $1,185.00. On Oct. 22, 2001, Scott presented two fraudulent receipts totaling $1,178.69 for replacement for a washer and dryer and a sectional couch. Scott only received the actual cash value for these items, which was $372.85. On 9/16/04, Scott pled guilty to two felony counts of fraudulent insurance acts. He was sentenced to three years on each count to run consecutively for a total of six years. He was placed on five years supervised probation and ordered to pay restitution to State Farm in the amount of $2,363.87 and a fine to the Fraud Division in the amount of $1,412.00.

Michael Roberts – Between Feb. 26, 2003, and March 4, 2003, Roberts presented a counterfeit certificate of insurance to the Dept. of Housing, Buildings, & Construction at the State Fire Marshall’s Office, receiving a benefit of approximately $1,000.00. On 7/2/04 in Nelson Circuit Court, Roberts pled guilty to an amended charge of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree. The charge of fraudulent insurance acts was dismissed. He was sentenced to 12 months conditionally discharged for two years.

Omar Mohammed – On or between Aug. 25, 1998, and March 8, 1999, Mohammed falsely claimed to be injured while working for Jefferson Community College and collected $11,706.92 in workers’ compensation benefits to which he was not entitled. On 9/9/04 in Jefferson Circuit Court, Mohammed pled guilty to one felony count of fraudulent insurance acts and one felony count of theft by deception. He was sentenced to five years but placed on diversion for one year, and ordered to pay restitution to the workers’ compensation carrier in the amount of $11,706.92 (which has been paid), $3,192.04 to the Kentucky State Treasurer for extradition costs, and $815.04 to the Fraud Division.