Authorities in Jacksonville have arrested a local construction business owner accused of orchestrating a massive insurance fraud scheme that shorted the state hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Carlos Antonio Maradiaga Garcia was taken into custody by the Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division following an investigation into his company’s payroll records.
State officials report that Maradiaga operated a construction firm with a total payroll of approximately $2 million. However, he allegedly reported a payroll of only $25,000 when securing workers’ compensation insurance. By significantly underreporting his employee costs, Maradiaga avoided paying nearly $300,000 in required premiums.
“I have made it abundantly clear that those who are committing fraud in the state of Florida will face the fullest extent of the law, especially those who are in this country illegally,” said Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. “To anyone else out there who is actively trying to commit fraud, know this, my office is working to bring you to justice. Do us all a favor and turn yourselves in.”
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Maradiaga is facing felony charges of workers’ compensation premium fraud and organized scheme to defraud. Investigators also confirmed that Maradiaga is in the country illegally and is currently subject to an active removal order from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The arrest is part of a broader crackdown by the Department of Financial Services, which has seen law enforcement officers arrest more than 80 undocumented individuals since CFO Ingoglia took office.
If Maradiaga is convicted on all counts, he could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison. Maradiaga was processed in Jacksonville, where the investigation reached its conclusion this week.
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