Six Arrested After Fraud Investigation

Florida officials say a former state employee processed more than 220 bogus property damage claims that siphoned $1.7 million from taxpayers, in what investigators call one of the state’s most brazen internal fraud schemes in recent years.

The Florida Department of Financial Services’ Criminal Investigations Division (CID) announced the arrests in February 2025 after uncovering what they described as a coordinated effort to exploit the state’s Division of Risk Management. According to investigators, the fraudulent claims were submitted and approved over time, so the payouts went to individuals who had no legitimate losses.

“If you steal from Florida taxpayers, you will go to jail,” Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said in a statement. He added that CID investigators are “working hard to put bad actors behind bars and hold fraudsters accountable,” pledging to pursue all individuals responsible “to the fullest extent of the law.”

Criminal Fraud Elements

Insurance fraud is an extremely broad area that includes not only property damage claim fraud but also lying on forms to reduce payments and, especially in no-fault insurance states like Florida, the “swoop-and-squat” auto insurance fraud.

Two drivers are usually in on the scam. Driver A pulls out in front of a mark to induce a rear-end collision. Driver B pulls alongside the mark to prevent him/her from switching lanes. The extreme danger of such frauds, especially to Driver B, help explain why prosecutors pursue fraud cases so aggressively.

Aggressive filing is one thing. But fraud cases usually have very low conviction rates, mostly because these matters have lots of moving parts.

• Material Misrepresentation: Not all prevarications are material misrepresentations. So, the state cannot simply prove the defendant made a false statement. That statement must be material to the fraud.
• Knowledge of Falsity: In terms of levels of intent, this one is relatively low. Basically, the material misstatement must be more than accidental. Alternatively, prosecutors can show that the defendant recklessly disregarded the truth (e.g. said things without thinking).
• Scienter: This element is harder to prove. The defendant intentionally made the false statement to induce the victim to act or rely on it. Since the burden of proof is so high in criminal cases, juries usually cannot infer anything. The state has to prove everything.
• Reliance: This element is tricky as well, mostly because it ties back into materiality. For example, if the insurance company only gave John a workers’ compensation policy because he lied about his company’s payroll size, a fraud case might hold up in criminal court.

A Tampa criminal defense lawyer must only create a reasonable doubt on one element to defeat these criminal charges.

For that reason, authorities often file civil fraud cases. The punishment is lighter, but the burden of proof is lower, and the defendant must pay restitution.

Resolving White-Collar Crime Cases

Resolving white-collar criminal cases in Florida is a mixture of investigation, negotiation, and litigation, depending on the charges and evidence.

The process usually begins with an extensive investigation by law enforcement or regulatory agencies, sometimes long before formal charges are filed. A Tampa criminal defense lawyer may engage early to respond to subpoenas, negotiate with prosecutors, or present exculpatory evidence.

Many white-collar cases are resolved through plea negotiations, diversion programs, or restitution agreements, particularly for first-time or non-violent offenses. A successful resolution focuses on minimizing penalties, protecting professional licenses, reducing reputational harm, and, when applicable, avoiding incarceration.

Connect With a Diligent Hillsborough County Attorney

A criminal charge is not the same thing as a criminal conviction. For a confidential consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Tampa, contact the OA Law Firm. Virtual, home, and jail visits are available.

Source:

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