CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Arrest of Licensed Orlando Insurance Agent in $16,763 Fraud Scheme
ORLANDO, FL – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Sheila De Lima Torres Tecchio, a licensed insurance agent formerly with Enterprise Insurance Agency, Inc., after she allegedly prepared and submitted fraudulent insurance applications to multiple insurance carriers in an effort to defraud Floridians out of $16,763.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime and it drives up rates for honest, hardworking consumers. We hold Florida’s licensed insurance agents to the highest standard of honesty and professionalism and it’s despicable when this trust is broken just to make a quick buck. Let me be clear: If you commit insurance fraud in Florida, you will be caught and we will hold you accountable.”
CFO Patronis’ fraud detectives discovered that Tecchio was writing and submitting fraudulent insurance applications to multiple insurance companies. Tecchio misclassified the vehicles as either personal use or limited business purpose vehicles without the owner’s knowledge. Tecchio then submitted the fraudulent applications resulting in her receiving commissions of approximately $16,763 for 39 vehicles between March 12, 2017, and March 30, 2018. Because of these actions multiple consumers were going without insurance coverage.
Tecchio surrendered to the Orange County Jail and was arrested on March 6. Tecchio faces counts of scheme to defraud, false and fraudulent motor vehicle insurance application and grand theft. If convicted, Tecchio could face up to 70 years in prison.
