Fla. Financial Services Dept.: CFO Patronis Announces Arrest of Tampa Clinic Owner in $970,000 Staged Auto Accident Scheme

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Angela Ippolito Duncan, owner of Ybor Medical Center for allegedly planning and participating in staged car accidents to submit more than $970,000 in fake accident injury automobile insurance claims.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, "Scam artists are working every day to drive up your insurance rates to line their own pockets. Thankfully my fraud detectives are staying one step ahead of these schemes and were able to successfully shut down this staged accident fraud ring. Schemes like this are not only costly, but they are also dangerous, putting innocent motorists at risk on Florida's roadways. I would like to thank my fraud detectives, the NICB, and the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office for their support in this case and working to bring this fraudster to justice."

A joint investigation by CFO Patronis' Division of Investigative & Forensic Services, Bureau of Insurance Fraud's Tampa Office, the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office, Nationwide Insurance, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) alleged that Angela Ippolito Duncan, owner and operator of Ybor Medical Center, conducted and participated in staged car crashes for the purposes of submitting fraudulent insurance claims. The investigation revealed that Duncan recruited an undercover detective to participate in an intentional motor vehicle traffic crash, provided the passengers for the vehicles, and directed all the participants for treatment at Ybor Medical Center. Duncan allegedly provided the location for which the intentional traffic crash would occur and was adamant that it was near Ybor Medical Center. Once the deliberate traffic crash occurred, she allegedly coached the participants on what to say to the insurance company and had them sign approximately 30 blank medical forms for treatment that never occurred. As a result, Ybor Medical Center was responsible for billing more than $970,000 in fraudulent insurance claims.

Angela Ippolito Duncan was booked into Hillsborough County Jail on charges of Racketeering, Planning Participating & Organizing an Intentional Traffic Crash, and 45 counts of False and Fraudulent Insurance Claim. If convicted on all charges, Duncan faces up to 30 years in prison. This case will be prosecuted by the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office.

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Original text here: https://www.myfloridacfo.com/sitePages/newsroom/pressRelease.aspx?id=6220