CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Arrest of Miami Insurance Agent for $476,000 in Alleged Insurance Fraud, Grand Theft, and Identity Theft
MIAMI – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Claudia Odila Romoleroux, a licensed insurance agent and owner of RND Insurance Corporation, after she allegedly obtained and transferred more than 300 homeowner insurance policies without homeowners’ knowledge or consent. In this scheme, Romoleroux allegedly pocketed nearly $476,000 from the policy premium differences.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Insurance fraud drives up rates across our state and identity theft can destroy your financial security. I will not stand by and allow Florida families to foot the bill of scam artists who game the system for their own personal gain. Last year, my detectives arrested more than 180 fraudsters in Miami-Dade County alone. We are working tirelessly to find these crooks and bring them to justice to protect your hard-earned money.”
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said, “It is unfortunate that scam artists like this choose to operate outside the law and attempt to make a living off stealing your money. I am thankful to CFO Patronis and his fraud investigators for catching these criminals, so my dedicated prosecutors can bring them to court to face justice.”
In total, Romoleroux allegedly, fraudulently obtained more than $877,000 in premiums for 307 homeowners policies. She allegedly supplied mortgage companies with fraudulent documents and requested the homeowners’ escrow money be sent to her business account to pay for new policies. Unbeknownst to these homeowners, Romoleroux allegedly used a portion of that money to pay for cheaper policies with inadequate coverage. Through this alleged fraud impacting homeowners and leaving them vulnerable, Romoleroux pocketed nearly $476,000.
Romoleroux was arrested on April 4 and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on charges of grand theft, uttering forged instruments, insurance fraud, identity theft and organized scheme to defraud. If convicted, Romoleroux faces up to 25 years in prison. Her insurance license will be immediately suspended upon the filing of formal charges.
