California Insurance Commissioner Poizner Announces Alleged Fraud Scheme Stopped By CDI Investigators

Los Angeles, CA  (CompNewsNetwork) - California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today announced that due to the hard work of California Department of Insurance (CDI) investigators, an alleged fraud perpetrator has been arraigned for committing insurance fraud.

"I refuse to tolerate insurance scams in California," said Commissioner Poizner.  "My teams of investigators will continue their hard work to catch fraud perpetrators and help bring them to justice."

Dr. Jon Fields, 53, of West Hills, filed a long term disability claim with his insurance carrier, UnumProvident Corporation, for an alleged injury he suffered in 2001.  According to insurance company records, Fields claimed that is injury prohibited him from continuing his work as a chiropractor from September 2001 until May, 2005.  During this time period, UnumProvident paid Fields more than $298,000 in benefits.  The CDI investigation revealed that Fields allegedly continued treating patients while collecting benefits.

On December 12, 2007, Fields surrendered himself to CDI investigators, and subsequently was booked on multiple counts of insurance fraud and one count of grand theft.  Fields was arraigned on January 7, 2008, and his next court appearance is scheduled for April 10, 2008.  If convicted, Fields could be sentenced up to five years in state prison, a fine of up to $50,000, and court-ordered restitution to UnumProvident.

This case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

If anyone would like to report insurance fraud, Commissioner Poizner urges them to contact the Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-HELP

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