4 St. Louis-Area Men Convicted in $3.5 Million Arson Scheme
Four St. Louis-area men were convicted Wednesday of federal charges related to the torching of four grocery stores as part of a scheme to collect more than $3.5 million in insurance claims. After a 13-day trial, a U.S. District Court jury convicted Zeyad Abdeljabbar, 39, of Town and Country; Charles D’Ary, 55, of Venice, Ill.; and Mohammad Almassri, 40, and Walid Ihmoud, 54, both of St. Louis, of arson, attempted arson, conspiracy and mail fraud charges.
The four were ordered to remain in custody pending sentencing set for July 28 for Abdeljabbar and Ihmoud, a day later for D’Ary and Almassri. The most serious counts carry possible 20-year prison terms and up to $250,000 in fines.
Watters Warns Mich. Docs of Bogus Med-Mal Insurer
Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services Commissioner Linda A. Watters recently issued a warning about a medical liability insurer called Professional Liability Insurance Co. She said in a statement that the company is claiming to provide insurance coverage to doctors in Michigan but not paying out claims. The company is unlicensed in Michigan and has already scammed one Michigan doctor, according to Watters.
This company, under various names, is defrauding doctors nationwide. Florida and Maryland have already issued cease and desist orders against the company and its affiliates, and OFIS is coordinating with these states and with federal officials. The Web site for the company is www.medmalins.com, the phone number is (800) 967-9772 or (770) 980-0201, and the address for the company is listed at 6025 Sandy Springs Circle, Suite 312, Atlanta, Ga., 30328.
According to enforcement actions issued by other states, this company has used several names in soliciting doctors to purchase its unauthorized med-mal insurance, including: Unimed Insurance Co., Professional Liability Insurance Co. Ltd., Ledee and Associates LLC, Professional Liability Insurance Corp., PLIC Claims Management Inc., Crowne Global Group Ltd., Medical Risk Associations RPG Ltd., Physicians Malpractice Analysts Inc.
Ohio Woman Arrested in Comp Scam
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation announced a Clark County woman has been sentenced for a felony charge of workers’ compensation fraud. Roxanne Anania was sentenced to five years probation, $2,447.36 in investigative costs, and ordered to pay restitution of $12,159.48 to BWC.
Neb. Man Sentenced for Aiding Friend’s Fraud Scheme
Jerry D. Brunow, the lesser half of a Washington County, Neb., insurance fraud duo was recently sentenced to two years probation during court proceedings April 5, according to the Blair Pilot-Tribune.
Brunow, 29, was reportedly paid $500 by 22-year-old co-worker Brian Nielsen on Feb. 16, 2004, to steal his pickup truck and take it to a garage in Iowa. Nielsen, who is currently serving a two-year probation sentence on charges of criminal attempt of a fraudulent insurance act and false reporting, was planning on collecting insurance on the vehicle.