20 People Arrested in Florida in ‘Operation Hot Water’ Workers’ Comp Fraud Sting

Twenty individuals were arrested in Florida in a workers’ compensation insurance fraud sting operation involving unlicensed contractors in Pasco County in “Operation Hot Water,” according to a statement from Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis on Sept. 27.

The arrests came after a joint sting operation conducted by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PSO) and the Bureau of Insurance Fraud, along with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Pasco County Building Department. Investigators caught contractors agreeing to perform work without a license and without workers’ compensation insurance coverage. The 20 individuals were arrested for allegedly contracting without a license and failure to secure workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

Individuals arrested included: Raul Guidicelli, Frederick John Kloster, Gary Allen Nickell Jr., Michael Anthony Anderson, Ronald Lee Weston Sr., Kenneth Ray Rodgers, Kevin Christopher Burtis, Richard Frank Bruns Jr., James Roberts Wood II, Joseph Martin, Richard Martin, Luis Alberto Medina, Robert Bruce Trottman, Harold “Chuck” Attebery II, Neil T. Myer, Daniel George Griffin, Charbel Tannous, Moshen H. Seuod, Mauricio Chicas and Dennis Disney Garlock.

If convicted, each individual faces up to 5 years in prison per count.

“Workers’ compensation fraud creates an unfair advantage for dishonest businesses and can leave employees at risk and vulnerable. My office has made more than 400 arrests for workers’ compensation fraud, an average of one person every day,” Patronis said. “I am proud of the work and partnership between our fraud office and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office on this case.”

Source: Florida Department of Financial Services