3 Convicted in Florida Workers’ Compensation Scheme

Three Florida business owners have been convicted in Jacksonville in a workers compensation scheme.

Authorities say all three face life in prison and fines totaling $17 million. They’ve been identified as 54-year-old Donald Touchet of El Cajon, Calif.; 59-year-old Robert Standridge of Tempe, Ariz., and 60-year-old Robert Jennings of Danville, Ill.

Calls to their attorneys were not immediately returned.

The three were accused of using sham companies to defraud business owners into paying premiums for nonexistent workers compensation insurance. They were convicted Feb. 14 of mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

All three had been free on bail but were jailed after their conviction. Sentencing is scheduled for May 23.