Maryland Insurance Commissioner charged 77 people with fraud in 2017

The Maryland Insurance Administration charged 77 people with fraud last year, the state agency said Monday.

Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer Jr. authorized civil orders and criminal charges totaling $466,261 in fines, penalties and restitution, the agency said.

The agency, which regulates the state's $28.5 billion insurance industry, said insurance fraud is one of the most costly crimes in the country, translating into higher premiums for consumers. The Insurance Fraud Division investigates reports of fraudulent activity.

"The bad actors need to be held accountable for their actions," Redmer said in an announcement.

More than 40 people were ordered to pay $200,514 in administrative penalties and restitution for committing civil insurance fraud, the agency said. Another 37 people were criminally prosecuted for insurance fraud, resulting in $265,747 in fines, penalties and restitution, the insurance administration said.

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Credit: By Lorraine Mirabella