MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. – Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis has announced the arrest of 16 people in a workers’ compensation insurance fraud sting operation involving unlicensed contractors in Manatee County.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).
“Workers’ compensation fraud creates an unfair advantage for dishonest businesses leaving employees exposed and defenseless. Workers’ comp insurance protects customers, employees, and businesses when accidents happen. That’s why it’s imperative that contractors follow the law and carry this with this important insurance coverage,” Patronis said.
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“Be warned, if you try to cheat the system and your employees you will be caught and you will go to jail. Huge thanks to DBPR Secretary Griffin and Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells and their law enforcement professionals for working with our fraud investigators to bring these fraudsters to justice. I sincerely appreciate their commitment to make Florida fraud-free,” said Patronis.
“Our detectives conduct these stings with the victims of unsafe construction practices and the poor workmanship of unlicensed contractors in mind. Unsuspecting customers are the ones who suffer the most due to Workers’ Compensation Fraud. Our residents deserve better. We hope that this latest operation will serve as an example to those who choose to ignore state law requirements and take shortcuts,” said Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells.
The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Fraud, in collaboration with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, and Manatee County Code Enforcement, carried out a joint sting operation that caught contractors agreeing to perform work without a license or worker’s compensation insurance coverage.
The 16 individuals were detained for contracting without a license and failing to obtain workers’ compensation insurance.
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Individuals arrested included: Brennan Tanner, Francis Jakubajtys, Blaine Benson, Andrew Sampson, Paul Slaughter III, Aryam Garcia Bellido De Luna, Troy Childs, Pedro Laureano, Kerry Lee, Oscar Antonio Figueroa Zelaya, Christopher Valentin, Luis A. Rosario, Nicholas J. Austine, Kim McNulty, Sergio Vargas-Olayo, and Alan Hart.
To report suspected contractor fraud, call our Fraud Hotline at 1-800-378-0445 or report online at MyFloridaCFO.com. People reporting fraud can remain anonymous.
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