Fresno organized ring charged with auto insurance fraud and forgery
News: 2020 Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Luis Manuel Burgos, 47, self-surrendered yesterday after being charged with multiple felony counts of insurance fraud and forgery for allegedly filing fraudulent insurance claims on a former employee’s policy and intercepting insurance checks to receive undeserved payouts. Two of Burgos’ former employees were also charged for their involvement in the organized ring.
Burgos, the owner of B&R Private Security, arranged an informal sub-lease agreement for a 2016 Lexus with his former employee. Burgos filed several claims, or had several claims filed on his behalf, for the Lexus and his personal vehicle, a BMW, on his former employee’s insurance policy without that former employee’s knowledge.
An investigation by the California Department of Insurance found that Burgos allegedly directed, conspired with, and/or aided another former employee, Steven Anthony Rogers, 47, who was also charged, to commit several criminal violations including intercepting insurance checks by impersonating the policyholder and forging the policyholder’s signature.
“This type of organized fraud increases auto insurance rates for all California drivers,” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. “Insurers pass the cost of fraudulent claims onto other policyholders. This is not a victimless crime.”
Another B&R Private Security former employee, Darlina Gutierrez Diaz, 37, of Clovis, was also charged for filing an injury claim after being a passenger in a collision. Diaz claimed she missed work at B&R Private Security as a result of her injuries. Her boss, Burgos, provided further documentation to support Diaz was off of work due to injury.
The Department’s investigation found that the documents allegedly produced by Diaz’s treating physician to grant her time off of work were forged. When confronted with this information, Diaz claimed Burgos forged the documents to get Diaz additional paid time off of work.
Burgos self-surrendered on August 24, 2020, to the Fresno County Jail. Burgos’ bail was set at $62,000 and his arraignment is scheduled for October 28, 2020. Rogers was arrested on August 21, 2020. Rogers’ bail was set at $49,000 and his arraignment is scheduled for October 27, 2020. Diaz self-surrendered today to the Fresno County Jail. Diaz’s bail was set at $30,000 and her arraignment is scheduled for October 28, 2020.
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.
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Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.
