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The bottom line was still the same, chiropractors paying for referrals, but the overall scam had a slightly different look on a recent bust by the Florida Insurance Commissioner’s office.
Prebeck Consulting, owned by Glen and Susan Prebeck, was the common denominator between the 13 chiropractors against whom warrants were recently issued. Instead of using the usual “capper” relationship, Prebeck Consulting was using a telemarketing firm to keep a large number of chiropractors knee-deep in exploitable cases. The source of the cases was traffic accident reports, obtained from numerous police departments by the Prebecks and used as leads to call potential patients.
It took an elaborate sting operation to get down to the nitty gritty of what was going on. Detective John Bukata, a Broward investigator for the Florida DOI, arranged for a fake driver’s license and a fake social security number. Geico threw in a fake insurance policy and Nationwide provided a vehicle ID number.
Bukato got Ryder Truck Rental to agree to be the at fault party in a fake accident and the official report was issued by the Davie Police (who were fully aware they were just assisting in an undercover fraud investigation.) The report was clear on the fact that no one was injured. Bukato’s alias’s name, address and phone number were also plainly listed. The fake information was all part of the sting.
Then the waiting began. Two short weeks after the alleged accident, BINGO! Bukato’s phone rang.
“Hi, I’m Andy Anderson from the Broward Consumer Services …”
Andy knew about the accident and did everything he could to convince the undercover officer that he should be seen by a doctor “just to make sure.” Bukato assured Andy that he was not injured, but Andy was insistent. “It’s absolutely free,” he assured Bukato, “and great protection against any problem that might flare up later.”
So Bukato – actually his alias identity – agreed to see a chiropractor. And Dr. Frank Darrow of Coral Springs, was referred a patient that he’ll probably not soon forget.
On the day of the scheduled appointment, Bukato first visited a medical doctor and obtained a clean bill of health. Afterward, when he showed up for the appointment with Darrow, Bukato assured the doctor that he was not injured. Darrow, however, told Bukato all about the program and gave all the reasons that Bukato needed treatment. Darrow didn’t know Bukato was wired for sound.
Six visits later, Darrow found himself charged with grand theft, unlawful insurance solicitation and six counts of insurance fraud.
Others netted in the sting included:
Others netted in the sting included:
Daniel Miles Barr – Barr Health Services, Ft. Lauderdale.
Allen Jay Britt – Britt Chiropractic Center, Deerfield Beach.
Renny Mitchell Edelson – Chiro-Care, Plantation.
Jeffrey Scott Gordon – Pembroke Commons Chiro Center, Pembroke Pines.
Randolph Verno Hansborough – Stuart Health Associates, Stuart.
Kevin Marlin – Marlin Chiropractic Clinic, Miami.
William Michael Seufert, Hollywood.
Each was jailed and released on bail after being charged with one felony count of unlawful insurance solicitation, a third degree felony count that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Twenty other chiropractors are still being investigated and more arrests may follow.
The Prebecks are also knee-deep in trouble. Investigation has revealed that their scheme was a high-volume money maker. In one five-month period, they deposited over $450,000 in their checking account. Both have pled guilty to 22 counts of insurance solicitation fraud and are cooperating with authorities.
And Andy Anderson may be in the unemployment line …
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