The Source For Insurance Fraud Professionals
Barry Zalma
Jun 15, 2023
Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/guRGyUWF issue of Zalma's Insurance Fraud Letter at https://lnkd.in/gBSDd2fE and at , see the full video at https://lnkd.in/g6A2dpiQ and at https://lnkd.in/gfawk3CV and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 4500 posts.
From https://zalma.com/blog, this, the Twelfth issue of the 27th year of publication Zalma’s Insurance Fraud Letter provides multiple articles on how to deal with insurance fraud in the United States. The issue begins with:
The Source For Insurance Fraud Professionals
From https://zalma.com/blog, this, the Twelfth issue of the 27th year of publication Zalma’s Insurance Fraud Letter provides multiple articles on how to deal with insurance fraud in the United States. The issue begins with:
Restitution Order Can’t Be Discharged in Bankruptcy
After Frayba Tipton and William Tipton pled guilty to committing insurance fraud, they were ordered to pay victim restitution to Nationwide Insurance Company of America (Nationwide). Nationwide obtained a civil judgment and an award of over $1,200,000 in civil litigation against the Tipton’s only to have the judgment discharged in bankruptcy. Nationwide then petitioned the trial court to convert the criminal restitution orders to civil judgments against both defendants. The trial court granted Nationwide’s petition and entered civil judgments against the defendants.
In Nationwide Insurance Company Of America v. Frayba Tipton et al., C095606, California Court of Appeals, Third District, San Joaquin (May 26, 2023) the court agreed that the restitution order could be made collectible as a civil judgment and not subject to discharge in bankruptcy.
See the full issue at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ZIFL-06-15-2023.pdf
More McClenny Moseley & Associates Issues
This is ZIFL’s eighth installment of the saga of McClenny, Moseley & Associates and its problems with the federal courts in the State of Louisiana and what appears to be an effort to profit from what some Magistrate and District judges indicate may be criminal conduct to profit from insurance claims relating to hurricane damage to the public of the state of Louisiana.
See the full issue at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ZIFL-06-15-2023.pdf
Another Insurer Bites the Dust
Nevada Insurance Commissioner Petitions to Place Friday Health in Receivership
Friday Health Plans of Nevada has fallen afoul of Nevada Insurance Commissioner Scott Kipper who filed legal action with the Nevada District Court to place it under regulatory supervision.
See the full issue at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ZIFL-06-15-2023.pdf
Bad News from The Public
A new survey shows it’s, like, totally cool to exaggerate damages on an insurance claim or, like, totally awesome to say you hurt yourself at work when you didn’t.
See the full issue at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ZIFL-06-15-2023.pdf
Health Insurance Fraud Convictions
Fifteen Year Sentence in $134 Million COVID-19 Health Care Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme
Billy Joe Taylor, age 44, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering on October 27, 2022. According to court documents, Taylor and his co-conspirators submitted more than $134 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare in connection with diagnostic laboratory testing, including urine drug testing and tests for respiratory illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, that were medically unnecessary, not ordered by medical providers, and not provided as represented. Taylor and his co-conspirators obtained medical information and private personal information for Medicare beneficiaries, and then misused that confidential information to repeatedly submit claims to Medicare for diagnostic tests. According to court documents, Taylor and his co-conspirators received more than $38 million from Medicare on those fraudulent claims.
See the full issue and dozens more convictions at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ZIFL-06-15-2023.pdf
Florida Judge Slams SFR Contractor for Misrepresentation, Fraud in Tower Hill Case
SFR Services, a Florida restoration firm made famous by its volume of claims litigation and its charges that United Property & Casualty Insurance Co. had instructed desk adjusters to alter their estimates, now finds itself in some legal trouble of its own.
See the full issue at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ZIFL-06-15-2023.pdf
Other Insurance Fraud Convictions - Man Sentenced to Prison for Staged Arson and Insurance Fraud
Denis Vladmirovich Molla falsely reported to the Brooklyn Center Police Department that his camper had been intentionally set on fire the 30-year-old Minnesota resident has been handed a 30-month prison sentence, followed by one year of supervised release, for filing fraudulent insurance claims related to a staged arson incident.
See the full issue and more convictions at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ZIFL-06-15-2023.pdf
The Baseball Card Scam
This is a Fictionalized True Crime Story of Insurance Fraud from my experience as an Insurance Fraud Expert and is provided to explain why Insurance Fraud is a “Heads I Win, Tails You Lose” situation for Insurers. The story is true, only the names and places were changed to protect the guilty.
See the full issue at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ZIFL-06-15-2023.pdf
Qui Tam and Insurance Fraud
The qui tam portion of the California Insurance Frauds Prevention Act, like that in many other states, has a qui tam provision.
See the full issue at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ZIFL-06-15-2023.pdf
It’s Time to Subscribe to Locals or Substack
For Subscribers Only I Have Published Special Insurance Videos
See the full issue at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ZIFL-06-15-2023.pdf
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Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE, is available at http://www.zalma.com and [email protected]
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New Trial Because Jury Used Policy That Provides No Coverage to Assess Damages
Post 5255
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In Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc. v. Houligan’s Pub & Club, Inc., and Ormond Wine Company, LLC, Nos. 5D2024-2352, 5D2024-2458, Florida Court of Appeals (January 2, 2026) the Court of Appeals was faced with a case of first impression that involved damages from a hurricane that hit the East Coast of Florida almost a decade ago and the extent to which an insurance broker is responsible for paying for such damages.
The jury entered a verdict in favor of the insurance broker on the insured’s claim that it was negligent in failing to procure insurance, but it found in favor of the insured on claims of breach of fiduciary duty and negligent misrepresentation.
The insurance broker does not contest it breached its duties on these two claims, only ...
Agent Loses License for Misappropriating Insurers Funds
Post 5254
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Insurance Agent Fraud Fails
In Rochell Provost v. State Of Louisiana Division Of Administrative Law And Louisiana Department Of Insurance, No. 2025 CA 0492, Court of Appeals of Louisiana, First Circuit (December 19, 2025) the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) successfully appealed a district court judgment that reinstated Rochell Provost’s insurance producer license and reversed a $5,000 fine previously assessed against her.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
The underlying dispute began when Union National Life Insurance Company/Kemper Life terminated Ms. Provost for cause, alleging she had committed fraudulent activity and misappropriated $31,471.39 in company funds. An investigative report supporting these findings was sent to LDI.
Following receipt of the report, LDI notified Ms. Provost of proposed regulatory action concerning ...
Post 5254
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Help a Person Commit Insurance Fraud & Go to Jail
Guilty of Tampering With Evidence by Hiding it in Garage
In State Of Montana v. Lila Lynn Lord, 2025 MT 302, No. DA 24-0343, Supreme Court of Montana (December 30, 2025) Lila Lord (Lord) appealed her conviction for Tampering with Evidence following a jury trial in the Seventh Judicial District Court, Richland County. The case centered on a staged burglary in Sidney, Montana, orchestrated by Marie Chris Entzel with the intent to collect insurance proceeds to cover her son’s legal fees. Entzel recruited several individuals — including David Skaw, Lawrence Pohl, Laurie McGregor, and the defendant, Lila Lord — to assist in removing valuable items from her home, causing property damage and theft of items such as an enclosed trailer, boat and trailer, refrigerator, pistol, and television....
Court Must Follow Judicial Precedent
Post 5252
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Insurance Policy Interpretation Requires Application of the Judicial Construction Doctrine
In Montrose Chemical Corporation Of California v. The Superior Court Of Los Angeles County, Canadian Universal Insurance Company, Inc., et al., B335073, Court of Appeal, 337 Cal.Rptr.3d 222 (9/30/2025) the Court of Appeal refused to allow extrinsic evidence to interpret the word “sudden” in qualified pollution exclusions (QPEs) as including gradual but unexpected pollution. The court held that, under controlling California appellate precedent, the term “sudden” in these standard-form exclusions unambiguously includes a temporal element (abruptness) and cannot reasonably be construed to mean ...
Lack of Jurisdiction Defeats Suit for Defamation
Post 5250
Posted on December 29, 2025 by Barry Zalma
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He Who Represents Himself in a Lawsuit has a Fool for a Client
In Pankaj Merchia v. United Healthcare Services, Inc., Civil Action No. 24-2700 (RC), United States District Court, District of Columbia (December 22, 2025)
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Parties & Claims:
The plaintiff, Pankaj Merchia, is a physician, scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur, proceeding pro se. Merchia sued United Healthcare Services, Inc., a Minnesota-based medical insurance company, for defamation and related claims. The core allegation is that United Healthcare falsely accused Merchia of healthcare fraud, which led to his indictment and arrest in Massachusetts, causing reputational and business harm in the District of Columbia and nationwide.
Underlying Events:
The alleged defamation occurred when United ...
Zalma’s Insurance Fraud Letter
Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/dG829BF6; see the video at https://lnkd.in/dyCggZMZ and at https://lnkd.in/d6a9QdDd.
ZIFL Volume 29, Issue 24
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Zalma’s Insurance Fraud Letter (ZIFL) continues its 29th year of publication dedicated to those involved in reducing the effect of insurance fraud. ZIFL is published 24 times a year by ClaimSchool and is written by Barry Zalma. It is provided FREE to anyone who visits the site at http://zalma.com/zalmas-insurance-fraud-letter-2/
Zalma’s Insurance Fraud Letter
Merry Christmas & Happy Hannukah
Read the following Articles from the December 15, 2025 issue:
Read the full 19 page issue of ZIFL at ...
