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Lloyd Mitchell Weaver Jr. thought he would die before they caught up with him — so why die poor when he could go out with a little money? Why not live the lifestyle he had always dreamed about. So Weaver, who had been diagnosed with HIV several years earlier, came up with a plan to make his life just a bit easier.
Weaver was employed as an account benefit specialist for Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield. In that capacity, Weaver was able to generate 30 checks to himself, for approximately $560,000, using the insurance policy of a Robert Alva. Weaver had met Alva several months previously at an AIDS support group. When Alva’s policy was cancelled after Alva became eligible for Medicaid, Weaver put his plan in motion. He used his computer to make changes to Alva’s policy. Checks were made out in Weaver’s name and sent to Weaver’s post office box. Alva, who has since died, was unaware of Weaver’s actions.
Weaver’s scam was uncovered by a routine audit of large-dollar claims. Of the $560,000 Weaver paid himself, authorities have been able to recover approximately $313,000 in stocks, cash and assets. The remaining $147,000 is gone — spent for luxury cars, trips to San Francisco, Beverly Hills and Dallas, entertaining his friends and a lavish new wardrobe.
After his arrest, Weaver said he thought he would actually end up saving Trigon money because he would be dropped from their coverage and they wouldn’t have to pay for his AIDS treatment. His sister claimed he simply snapped from the pressure of his poor health.
Weaver pleaded guilty to seven felony charges of grand larceny, computer fraud, uttering a forged check and forgery. He is currently serving time in the medical day room of the Henrico jail — a room with six double-bunked cells that he shares with 17 other inmates. While he is incarcerated, taxpayers are footing the bill for his treatment. But the sheriff is looking into the possibility of home incarceration — an option available for those convicted of nonviolent crimes only. Should he be transferred to home incarceration, Weaver would then become responsible for his own medical bills.
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