Issue 27 Number 16
Barry Zalma
Aug 15, 2023
Read the full Zalma's Insurance Fraud Letter for August 15, 2023 at https://lnkd.in/gDaSqJns and at Read the full article and the full ZIFL at https://lnkd.in/ggcueys2 and see the full video at https://lnkd.in/gSdcrJtR and at https://lnkd.in/g2pxgnJW and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 4550 posts.
ZIFL-08-15-2023
Lawyer Paying for Clients Guilty
Experienced Lawyer Claiming Ignorance of Law Is No Defense
Robert Irving Slater was a practicing worker’s compensation attorney when he entered into an agreement with the owner of USA Photocopy who paid a third party to perform intake interviews with clients of defendant’s practice, saving a significant amount of his lawyer’s own employees time and money. In exchange, defendant used USA Photocopy’s services during all workers’ compensation proceedings on those cases.
Read the full article and the full ZIFL at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ZIFL-08-15-2023-1.pdf
More McClenny Moseley & Associates Issues
This is ZIFL’s Twelfth 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.
Read the full article and the full ZIFL at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ZIFL-08-15-2023-1.pdf
Free Insurance Videos
Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE has published five days a week videos on insurance claims, insurance claims law, insurance fraud and insurance coverage matters at https://www.rumble.com/zalma.https://rumble.com/c/c-262921.
Good News From the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud
Alex Murdaugh accomplice Russell Laffitte gets 7 years for fraud. He will spend seven years in federal prison for helping convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh steal nearly $2M from clients’ legal settlements. Laffitte was sentenced Tuesday after a jury found him guilty of six charges related to wire and bank fraud back in November. The ex-CEO of Palmetto State Bank became the first of the disgraced former attorney’s accomplices to face prison following the June 2021 shooting deaths that stemmed from sprawling investigations into the Murdaugh family finances. He used the role to elaborately pocket tens of thousands of dollars and collected as much as $450K in non-taxable fees. The position also allowed him to send large chunks toward Murdaugh, who had grown desperate to repay mounting loans as an opioid addiction further depleted his accounts. Despite his conviction, Laffitte continued to maintain his innocence. He has insisted for months that he didn’t know he was committing crimes and was manipulated by a major customer.
Read the full article plus many more convictions and the full ZIFL at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ZIFL-08-15-2023-1.pdf
Moral Hazard
Every insurance fraud investigator must understand what a moral hazard is and why it is important to insurance underwriters.
The moral hazard is the increase in uncertainty caused by personal acts of individuals. These acts may contribute to the probability or severity of loss. The individual creating the problem may be the policyholder or another person. In either case the chance of loss is increased. A moral hazard may be present in every line of insurance. No underwriter can ignore it without incurring an increased risk of substantial loss. The moral hazard is very difficult to detect and therefore very dangerous to the insurer.
Read the full article and the full ZIFL at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ZIFL-08-15-2023-1.pdf
Health Insurance Fraud Convictions
Former CEO of Whittier Clinic Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Medi-Cal Family Planning Program Through Multimillion-Dollar Scheme
Vincenzo Rubino, 58, of Valencia, the former president and CEO of a Whittier medical clinic pleaded guilty August 3, 2023, to submitting fraudulent billings to a Medi-Cal health care program and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
According to evidence presented at trial, Rubino founded, owned, and operated Santa Maria’s Children and Family Center, a Whittier-based medical clinic based registered as a non-profit public benefit corporation and enrolled as a Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment (Family PACT) provider run through Medi-Cal.
Read the full article and the full ZIFL at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ZIFL-08-15-2023-1.pdf
Another Insurer Bites the Dust
Missouri’s Cameron Mutual Placed into Rehabilitation
Cameron Mutual Insurance Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Cameron National Insurance Company, were placed into rehabilitation in the second week of August 2023 by the Circuit Court of Cole County, Missouri. Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) Director Chlora Lindley-Myer was named rehabilitator for both companies.
Read the full article and the full ZIFL at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ZIFL-08-15-2023-1.pdf
Other Insurance Fraud Convictions
Nassau County, NY, Collision Repair Shops Owner Convicted of Tax Fraud
Jose Cardona, 45, of Oceanside, NY, was sentenced August 2, 2023, for felony tax fraud related to his ownership and operation of two Nassau County collision repair shops, New York State officials announced.
In Nassau County State Supreme Court, Cardona was sentenced to six months in jail and five years of probation, after having already paid more than $700,000 in restitution.
Read the full article and the full ZIFL at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ZIFL-08-15-2023-1.pdf
It’s Time to Subscribe to Locals or Substack
For Subscribers Only I Have Published Special Insurance Articles and Videos
I published on Locals.com more than 25 videos and two webinars of the Excellence in Claims Handling program. I also published on Substack.com videos and webinars of the Excellence in Claims Handling Program available only to Subscribers.
Read the full article and the full ZIFL at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ZIFL-08-15-2023-1.pdf
Barry Zalma
Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE, now limits his practice to service as an insurance consultant specializing in insurance coverage, insurance claims handling, insurance bad faith and insurance fraud almost equally for insurers and policyholders. He also serves as an arbitrator or mediator for insurance related disputes. He practiced law in California for more than 44 years as an insurance coverage and claims handling lawyer and more than 54 years in the insurance business. He is available at http://www.zalma.com and [email protected]
Over the last 55 years Barry Zalma has dedicated his life to insurance, insurance claims and the need to defeat insurance fraud. He has created the following library of books and other materials to make it possible for insurers and their claims staff to become insurance claims professionals.
Barry Zalma, Inc., 4441 Sepulveda Boulevard, CULVER CITY CA 90230-4847, 310-390-4455; Subscribe to Zalma on Insurance at locals.com https://zalmaoninsurance.local.com/subscribe. Subscribe to Excellence in Claims Handling at https://barryzalma.substack.com/welcome. Go to the podcast Zalma On Insurance at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barry-zalma/support Write to Mr. Zalma at [email protected]; http://www.zalma.com; http://zalma.com/blog; I publish daily articles at https://zalma.substack.com, Follow Mr. Zalma on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bzalma; Go to Barry Zalma videos at Rumble.com at https://rumble.com/c/c-262921; Go to the Insurance Claims Library – https://zalma.com/blog/insurance-claims-library/ to consider more than 50 volumes written by Barry Zalma on insurance and insurance claims handling.
Go to Zalma’s Insurance Fraud Letter at https://zalma.com/zalmas-insurance-fraud-letter-2/ Follow Mr. Zalma on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bzalma Go to Barry Zalma videos at Rumble.com at https://rumble.com/c/c-262921 Go to Barry Zalma on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCysiZklEtxZsSF9DfC0Expg Go to the Insurance Claims Library – https://zalma.com/blog/insurance-claims-library/ and GTTR at https://gettr.com/@zalma
Read the full article and the full ZIFL at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ZIFL-08-15-2023-1.pdf
Over the last 55 years Barry Zalma has dedicated his life to insurance, insurance claims and the need to defeat insurance fraud. He publishes daily articles at https://zalma.substack.com; you can follow Mr. Zalma on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bzalma; Go to Barry Zalma videos at Rumble.com at https://lnkd.in/gV9QJYH.
Go to Barry Zalma videos at Rumble.com at https://lnkd.in/gV9QJYH; Go to Barry Zalma on YouTube- https://lnkd.in/g2hGv88; Go to the Insurance Claims Library – https://lnkd.in/gKCTg53; and Read the full article and the full ZIFL at https://lnkd.in/ggcueys2
Posted on January 2, 2026 by Barry Zalma
ZIFL – Volume 30 Number 1
THE SOURCE FOR THE INSURANCE FRAUD PROFESSIONAL
See the video at https://rumble.com/v73nifg-zalmas-insurance-fraud-letter-january-2-2026.html and at https://youtu.be/vZC1e-_qwDg
Supreme Court of Louisiana Removes Judge
Judge Who Lied to Get Elected Cannot Serve
In In Re: Judge Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts, No. 2025-O-01127, Supreme Court of Louisiana (December 11, 2025) the Louisiana Supreme Court in an opinion by Chief Justice Weimer dealt with the recommendation of the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana (Commission) that Judge Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts be removed from office for:
1. making false and misleading statements regarding her judicial campaigns;
2. making false and misleading statements to police investigating the reported burglary of her car; and
3. withholding information and providing false, incomplete, or misleading information during the investigation by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), as well as in the proceedings before the Commission....
Montana County Attorney Admits to Insurance Fraud & Is Only Suspended from Practice for 60 Days
Post 5251
Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/gnBaCjmv, see the video at https://lnkd.in/gfpVsyAd and at https://lnkd.in/gC73Nd8z, and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5250 posts.
A Lawyer Who Commits Insurance Fraud and Pleas to a Lower Charge Only Suspended
In The Matter Of: Naomi R. Leisz, Attorney at Law, No. PR 25-0150, Supreme Court of Montana (December 23, 2025) the Montana Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) filed a formal disciplinary complaint with the Commission on Practice (Commission) against Montana attorney Naomi R. Leisz.
On September 25, 2025, Leisz tendered a conditional admission and affidavit of consent. Leisz acknowledged the material facts of the complaint were true and she had violated the Montana Rules of Professional Conduct as alleged by ODC.
ADMISSIONS
Leisz admitted that in April 2022, her minor son was involved in a car accident in which he hit a power pole. Leisz’s son ...
Montana County Attorney Admits to Insurance Fraud & Is Only Suspended from Practice for 60 Days
Post 5251
Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/gnBaCjmv, see the video at https://lnkd.in/gfpVsyAd and at https://lnkd.in/gC73Nd8z, and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5250 posts.
A Lawyer Who Commits Insurance Fraud and Pleas to a Lower Charge Only Suspended
In The Matter Of: Naomi R. Leisz, Attorney at Law, No. PR 25-0150, Supreme Court of Montana (December 23, 2025) the Montana Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) filed a formal disciplinary complaint with the Commission on Practice (Commission) against Montana attorney Naomi R. Leisz.
On September 25, 2025, Leisz tendered a conditional admission and affidavit of consent. Leisz acknowledged the material facts of the complaint were true and she had violated the Montana Rules of Professional Conduct as alleged by ODC.
ADMISSIONS
Leisz admitted that in April 2022, her minor son was involved in a car accident in which he hit a power pole. Leisz’s son ...
Court Must Follow Judicial Precedent
Post 5252
Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sudden-opposite-gradual-barry-zalma-esq-cfe-h7qmc, see the video at and at and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5250 posts.
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
See the video at and at
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 ...
