On May 9th, 2022, the Special Investigative Unit of RJN Investigations, Inc. was notified that the Riverside County Superior Court was successful in the prosecution of People of California v. O. Forero, owner of Ryon College in Riverside, California.
In this particular case, Loma Linda Medical University received invoices from the suspect requesting payment for a Supplemental Job Displacement program. The claims examiner detected “Red Flag Indicators” and a subsequent claim investigation determined that the claimant advised that she never received items that were allegedly provided to her attention. For example, the claimant was allegedly provided with a laptop computer as well as training. However, the claimant advised that she never received a laptop or any of the services allegedly rendered. In accordance with regulations set forth by the California Department of Insurance the RJN SIU formally filed the case with their Fraud Division as well as with the Riverside County District Attorney’s office. The criminal investigation by the Riverside County District Attorney’s office uncovered substantial additional evidence of the suspects using “Cappers” to recruit students who had Supplemental Job Placement vouchers meant to help them reenter the workplace after injuries. They also established that a number of the “alleged students” lacked a high school diploma or other prerequisites. Over the course of 2 years, the Riverside County Superior court held ongoing criminal hearings in which the suspect was charged with 12 felony counts ranging from conspiracy to commit a crime, hiding facts to secure insurance benefits and soliciting business with the intent to violate insurance codes. On May 2nd, 2022, the suspect entered a plea agreement in which he plead guilty to two counts of Penal Code 550(B)(3). At this time, a sentencing hearing is currently pending with further information to follow regarding sentence and restitution ordered.
ABOUT R.J.N. SIU:
Formed in 1996, the RJN SIU Division was created to assist California employers, insurance carriers and TPA firms in securing professional assistance so as to detect, investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. To date, the unit has trained well over 3,500 examiners and the documented referrals by this unit have resulted in over 210 convictions for workers’ compensation insurance fraud in California. In just the last 3 ½ years, we have secured $1,184,278.00 in court ordered restitution on behalf of our valued clients.
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