Los Angeles Residents Busted for Felony Insurance Fraud

Tony Bimbo aka Anthony Riste and Brandy Riste, both of Los Angeles, were arrested on two felony counts of insurance fraud after they allegedly conspired with Bobby Vlado to defraud Alliance United Insurance Company out of nearly $18,000.

Investigators are still searching for Vlado.

In October 2013, Vlado reported to his insurer that he accidentally struck a pedestrian, Riste, at a busy intersection in Los Angeles because he was distracted while using his mobile phone. Riste visited the emergency room twice following the accident incurring over $11,000 in medical bills. Her father, Tony Bimbo, negotiated a claim on his daughter’s behalf and she received an $18,000 settlement.

Evidence uncovered by detectives revealed that Riste’s medical bills were never paid. In the course of the investigation, it was also discovered that although Vlado, Bimbo and Riste denied knowing each other, they communicated by phone extensively before and after the accident.

Bimbo was booked into the Inmate Reception Center and Riste was booked into the Century Regional Detention Center. Bimbo and Riste both posted bail and will appear in court on June 1. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.

Source: California Department of Insurance