ZIFL Volume 27, Issue 20
Barry Zalma
Oct 16, 2023
Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/gwKMg8yC and see the full video at https://lnkd.in/gJdfQu_B and at https://lnkd.in/gAzA9tb2 and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 4600 posts.
This, the twentieth issue of the 27th year of publication Zalma’s Insurance Fraud Letter.
Man Bites Dog: GEICO Bites Fraudsters - Don’t Ty to Defraud GEICO It Bites Back
GEICO sued Defendants ALP Supply, Inc. (“ALP”), PV Supply, Inc. (“PV”), and Pal Vakula, alleging common law fraud and unjust enrichment claims.
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McClenny Moseley & Associates Issues
This is ZIFL’s sixteenth installment of the saga of McClenny, Moseley & Associates.
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Evidence Required to Prove Fraud
Insurer Not Required to Disclose How it Selects Limits and Premium
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Good News From The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud
Nerik Ilyayev and Mukhiddin Kadirov have pleaded guilty for multiple cases of insurance fraud. The pair face at least 10 years in prison each, with sentences pending.
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Not Wise to Explain Scheme to Defraud to FBI Informants
Insurance Fraudster Tries Multiple Bases for Appeal & Still Goes to Jail
For his conduct, a jury convicted Higgins on three counts of mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341-42 and two counts of retaliating against a witness, victim, or an informant under 18 U.S.C. § 1513(e). In United States of America v. Brian Higgins, No. 22-3538, United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit (October 6, 2023) affirmed his conviction.
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California Conference of Arson Investigators Training Seminar
As One of the Speakers, I encourage you to SIGN UP TODAY FOR THE OCTOBER 16 – 19, 2023 CCAI Fire Investigation Training Seminar – where you can learn How Insurers and Arson Investigators Have Taken the Profit from Arson-for-Profit from Attorney Barry Zalma, Esq.
Register today by calling 909 865-5004 Or click here to register online.
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Health Insurance Fraud Convictions
Husband And Wife Sent to Prison For $8M Health Care Fraud
Read the about dozens of convictions at this part of the full issue of ZIFL at Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/gwKMg8yC
Other Insurance Fraud Convictions
Newtown Man Ordered to Pay Restitution for Fraudulent Practices
John Paul Reis, 56, of Newtown Township, Pennsylvania entered an open guilty plea.
Read the about dozens of convictions at this part of the full issue of ZIFL at Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/gwKMg8yC
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One Year Private Limitation of Action Provision Enforceable
Post 5233
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Barn Roof Collapse Suit Attempts to Avoid Federal Court Fails Because of Fraudulent Joinder
In Funaro v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Civil Action No. 25-04, Judge: W. Scott Hardy (W.D. Pa. Nov. 19, 2025) the District Court was faced with motions by Plaintiff Funaro including the following:
1 Motion to Remand.
2 State Farm’s Partial Motion to Dismiss.
3 Statutory bad faith (42 Pa. C.S. § 8371) against State Farm alone
KEY FACTS
On January 10, 2021 a large barn roof in Honesdale, PA collapsed under weight of snow. The barn incurred structural damage, contents damage (including $90,000 to 100,000 in a custom French stove).
Plaintiffs were insured under a State Farm policy (using a standard ...
Discovery Attempt by Alleged Fraudulent Health Care Provider Fails
Post 5232
Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/party-seeking-discovery-entitled-anything-relevant-zalma-esq-cfe-ce7kc, see the video at https://rumble.com/v7204g8-discovery-is-entitled-to-anything-relevant-to-partys-claim-or-defense.html and at https://youtu.be/Nuet_er3qXU, and https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5200 posts.
Upcoding and Health Care Fraud
In UnitedHealthcare Services, Inc., et al. v. Team Health Holdings, Inc., et al., No. 3:21-cv-00364-DCLC-DCP, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, District Judge Clifton L. Corker (November 18, 2025) This is a discovery ruling, not a final merits decision.
The Disputes
This is a fraud/RICO lawsuit brought by UnitedHealthcare (and affiliates, collectively “United”) aganst TeamHealth (a large physician staffing company focused on emergency medicine). The companies have a history of mutual litigation over billing practices, including prior suits where TeamHealth accused ...
Discovery Attempt by Alleged Fraudulent Health Care Provider Fails
Post 5232
Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/party-seeking-discovery-entitled-anything-relevant-zalma-esq-cfe-ce7kc, see the video at https://rumble.com/v7204g8-discovery-is-entitled-to-anything-relevant-to-partys-claim-or-defense.html and at https://youtu.be/Nuet_er3qXU, and https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5200 posts.
Upcoding and Health Care Fraud
In UnitedHealthcare Services, Inc., et al. v. Team Health Holdings, Inc., et al., No. 3:21-cv-00364-DCLC-DCP, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, District Judge Clifton L. Corker (November 18, 2025) This is a discovery ruling, not a final merits decision.
The Disputes
This is a fraud/RICO lawsuit brought by UnitedHealthcare (and affiliates, collectively “United”) aganst TeamHealth (a large physician staffing company focused on emergency medicine). The companies have a history of mutual litigation over billing practices, including prior suits where TeamHealth accused ...
The Professional Claims Handler
Post 5219
Posted on October 31, 2025 by Barry Zalma
An Insurance claims professionals should be a person who:
Can read and understand the insurance policies issued by the insurer.
Understands the promises made by the policy.
Understand their obligation, as an insurer’s claims staff, to fulfill the promises made.
Are competent investigators.
Have empathy and recognize the difference between empathy and sympathy.
Understand medicine relating to traumatic injuries and are sufficiently versed in tort law to deal with lawyers as equals.
Understand how to repair damage to real and personal property and the value of the repairs or the property.
Understand how to negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement with the insured that is fair and reasonable to both the insured and the insurer.
How to Create Claims Professionals
To avoid fraudulent claims, claims of breach of contract, bad faith, punitive damages, unresolved losses, and to make a profit, insurers ...
The History Behind the Creation of a Claims Handling Expert
The Insurance Industry Needs to Implement Excellence in Claims Handling or Fail
Post 5210
This is a change from my normal blog postings. It is my attempt. in more than one post, to explain the need for professional claims representatives who comply with the basic custom and practice of the insurance industry. This statement of my philosophy on claims handling starts with my history as a claims adjuster, insurance defense and coverage lawyer and insurance claims handling expert.
My Training to be an Insurance Claims Adjuster
When I was discharged from the US Army in 1967 I was hired as an insurance adjuster trainee by a professional and well respected insurance company. The insurer took a chance on me because I had been an Army Intelligence Investigator for my three years in the military and could use that training and experience to be a basis to become a professional insurance adjuster.
I was initially sat at a desk reading a text-book on insurance ...
The History Behind the Creation of a Claims Handling Expert
The Insurance Industry Needs to Implement Excellence in Claims Handling or Fail
Post 5210
This is a change from my normal blog postings. It is my attempt. in more than one post, to explain the need for professional claims representatives who comply with the basic custom and practice of the insurance industry. This statement of my philosophy on claims handling starts with my history as a claims adjuster, insurance defense and coverage lawyer and insurance claims handling expert.
My Training to be an Insurance Claims Adjuster
When I was discharged from the US Army in 1967 I was hired as an insurance adjuster trainee by a professional and well respected insurance company. The insurer took a chance on me because I had been an Army Intelligence Investigator for my three years in the military and could use that training and experience to be a basis to become a professional insurance adjuster.
I was initially sat at a desk reading a text-book on insurance ...
