5 Florida Roofing Company Employees Arrested in Insurance Fraud Scam

Five NBRC Roofing Company employees were arrested for organizing a $525,000 insurance fraud scheme, according to an announcement by Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.

The Tampa-based company is accused of leaving 97 homeowners in Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties with unfinished roof repairs and liens on their homes after stealing insurance money intended to pay subcontractors.

An investigation by the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud discovered the insurance scam involved visiting homeowners following a storm, convincing the homeowners roof repairs were necessary, helping the homeowners file insurance claims for repair and finally convincing the homeowners to give NBRC the sole right to make the repairs and the assignment of benefits for the insurance claim. But once NBRC was paid for insurance claim, the repairs would not be completed and the insurance money would be pocketed by NBRC employees.

The defendants are each charged with organizing a scheme to defraud, a first degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Additional arrests are expected to be made.

The cases will be prosecuted by the Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Source: Department of Financial Services Insurance Fraud Division