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Deontres Javan Taylor of Jacksonville, FL, Arrested for Attempting to Defraud FEMA of Hurricane Irma Benefits

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pexels-photo-753619-300x169The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida has announced that a Jacksonville man accused of lying about damage caused by Hurricane Irma was indicted this week.

Deontre Javan Taylor, 26, was charged with disaster assistance fraud and faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.

According to federal prosecutors, Taylor is accused of falsifying records concerning his primary residence in Jacksonville when he submitted an application for assistance to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He was seeking federal assistance to repair his home, which was destroyed after the passage of Hurricane Irma, the indictment states.

Cases like Taylor’s aren’t uncommon; two more incidents of suspected fraud involving FEMA funds were reported in Jacksonville last week. Bernita Willette Carswell of Jacksonville and Deannajo White of Suwannee County were indicted by federal prosecutors in separate cases for allegedly submitting false claims for FEMA benefits related to Irma.

Carswell, 36, and White, 39, were both charged with disaster assistance fraud. The press did not name attorneys for them.

According to the indictments, Carswell and White are accused of submitting applications for assistance to FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program for Hurricane Irma in September 2017. Both women allegedly falsified records concerning their primary residences when they submitted their applications. Carswell purportedly falsified information concerning damage to her home and the need to move to a rental property in Jacksonville.

Disaster relief assistance is often abused because government agencies like FEMA are pressed to use their resources quickly with inadequate oversight. FEMA provides relief after major natural disasters to assist with repairs, perform cleanups, and help individuals who are affected. In the rush to provide aid, the agency may not be as careful in vetting the people it helps, which can lead to fraud against the government.

Hurricane Irma struck Florida on September 4, 2017, and caused approximately $50 billion in damage throughout the state. FEMA approved 774,691 individual assistance applications from Florida residents for damage caused by the hurricane. The agency set aside $1.02 billion for its Individual & Households Program.

Disaster fraud is defined as the deliberate act to defraud the government after a catastrophe. Federal agents use a number of methods to detect fraud, including using an automated system to cross-check information provided in applications with other agencies, and field inspections to verify the damages and losses for every individual who applies for individual assistance.

Filing a false claim with FEMA is a felony with a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, in addition to restitution payments to the federal government. Members of the public who suspect fraud, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief funds should contact the National Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.

South Florida Fraud Attorney

If you are involved in a fraud case, then you should hire an attorney. Contact Brian Silber, P.A. to set up a free initial consultation and work with one of South Florida’s most experienced fraud attorneys.

Blake Delapaz of Jacksonville, FL, Charged with DUI in Crash that Killed Four in 2018

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adult-beer-bottle-blur-174936-300x225Jacksonville police have arrested the driver involved in a DUI crash that killed four people over a year ago.

Blake Delapaz, 21, was charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI causing serious bodily injury, DUI, DUI causing property damage, and vehicular homicide. He was booked into Duval County Jail and was ordered held on $950,000 bond. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.

According to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the alleged accident occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m. June 9, 2018, on US 129 and County Road 340 in Gilchrist County. Delapaz was reportedly driving a Chevrolet Impala east on County Road 340 at a high rate of speed with four friends as passengers.

He allegedly ran a red light and stop sign at US 128 crashed into the passenger side of a Ford Explorer that was going north on the highway. The driver of the SUV, identified as Aimee Christine Williams, 28, of Gilchrist, was seriously injured.

“The vehicle that was on 340 ran through a stop sign at a flashing red light and was broadsided just beyond the fender by the Explorer, as it impacted it, it rolled down the hill,” a witness told the press.

All four of Delapaz’s passengers died in the collision. They have been identified as Hayden Raulerson, 21; Cameron Bell, 18; Isabella Garcia, 19; and Alysia Littlejohn, 20. FHP confirmed that none of the four were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Delapaz survived the collision but sustained serious injuries and was rushed to an area hospital for treatment. Blood tests reportedly revealed that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. His blood-alcohol level was .083, which is more than the legal limit for driving in Florida.

Upon hearing news of Delapaz’s arrest, Alysia Littlejohn’s mother, Elinor Littlejohn, issued a statement to the press saying it “has been a long and difficult wait for the family to learn of the results of the Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation . . . we stand with the other families in seeking justice for the senseless deaths of loved ones.”

DUI charges are serious and a conviction often leads to severe, life-changing consequences. Penalties can include jail time, driver’s license suspension, fines, court costs, community service, mandatory classes on drunk driving, vehicle impoundment, and counseling sessions.

Florida has some of the most demanding DUI laws in the U.S. because of all the deaths, particularly of young people, caused by drunk drivers. Local police departments and the Florida Highway Patrol are required to enforce these laws with a zero tolerance standard.

First time offenses that don’t involve injury or death are usually treated as a misdemeanor. First time offenders usually only receive probation with special conditions, like community service, DUI school, and driver’s license suspension—but no jail time. That said, anyone charged with a DUI should hire a qualified attorney to represent them in court. A good lawyer can challenge the evidence presented and potentially get the charges reduced or dismissed.

South Florida DUI Attorney

If you have been arrested for a DUI, then you should hire an attorney. Contact Brian Silver, P.A. to set up a free initial consultation and work with one of South Florida’s most experienced DUI attorneys.

Source: 12.14.19 florida driver arrested for DUI that killed 4 friends.pdf

Blake Delapaz of Jacksonville, FL, Charged with DUI in Crash that Killed Four in 2018

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adult-beer-bottle-blur-174936-300x225Jacksonville police have arrested the driver involved in a DUI crash that killed four people over a year ago.

Blake Delapaz, 21, was charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI causing serious bodily injury, DUI, DUI causing property damage, and vehicular homicide. He was booked into Duval County Jail and was ordered held on $950,000 bond. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.

According to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the alleged accident occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m. June 9, 2018, on US 129 and County Road 340 in Gilchrist County. Delapaz was reportedly driving a Chevrolet Impala east on County Road 340 at a high rate of speed with four friends as passengers.

He allegedly ran a red light and stop sign at US 128 crashed into the passenger side of a Ford Explorer that was going north on the highway. The driver of the SUV, identified as Aimee Christine Williams, 28, of Gilchrist, was seriously injured.

“The vehicle that was on 340 ran through a stop sign at a flashing red light and was broadsided just beyond the fender by the Explorer, as it impacted it, it rolled down the hill,” a witness told the press.

All four of Delapaz’s passengers died in the collision. They have been identified as Hayden Raulerson, 21; Cameron Bell, 18; Isabella Garcia, 19; and Alysia Littlejohn, 20. FHP confirmed that none of the four were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Delapaz survived the collision but sustained serious injuries and was rushed to an area hospital for treatment. Blood tests reportedly revealed that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. His blood-alcohol level was .083, which is more than the legal limit for driving in Florida.

Upon hearing news of Delapaz’s arrest, Alysia Littlejohn’s mother, Elinor Littlejohn, issued a statement to the press saying it “has been a long and difficult wait for the family to learn of the results of the Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation . . . we stand with the other families in seeking justice for the senseless deaths of loved ones.”

DUI charges are serious and a conviction often leads to severe, life-changing consequences. Penalties can include jail time, driver’s license suspension, fines, court costs, community service, mandatory classes on drunk driving, vehicle impoundment, and counseling sessions.

Florida has some of the most demanding DUI laws in the U.S. because of all the deaths, particularly of young people, caused by drunk drivers. Local police departments and the Florida Highway Patrol are required to enforce these laws with a zero tolerance standard.

First time offenses that don’t involve injury or death are usually treated as a misdemeanor. First time offenders usually only receive probation with special conditions, like community service, DUI school, and driver’s license suspension—but no jail time. That said, anyone charged with a DUI should hire a qualified attorney to represent them in court. A good lawyer can challenge the evidence presented and potentially get the charges reduced or dismissed.

South Florida DUI Attorney

If you have been arrested for a DUI, then you should hire an attorney. Contact Brian Silver, P.A. to set up a free initial consultation and work with one of South Florida’s most experienced DUI attorneys.

Source: 12.14.19 florida driver arrested for DUI that killed 4 friends.pdf

Construction Worker Critically Injured after Being Electrocuted in Jacksonville, FL

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construction-2578410_1920-300x200Police in Jacksonville report that a construction worker was critically injured after being electrocuted by a high power transmission line in East Arlington.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred before noon on October 25 at the intersection of North Kernan Boulevard and Running River Road.

A man working for a subcontractor hired by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) was installing traffic lights on the road using a boom truck when the vehicle struck a high power transmission line.

As the man attempted to exit the vehicle, he came into contact with metal parts that had a powerful electric current running through them and was electrocuted. A co-worker administered CPR until rescue workers arrived and took over. The victim was rushed to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. His condition is critical.

Residents in the area reportedly heard an explosion and smelled something burning. More than 1,000 people in the area lost power as a result of the incident.

Jacksonville police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are investigating the incident.

JTA told news sources that the worker was an employee of James D. Hinson Electrical Contracting Company. The spokesperson for the agency released the following statement:

“JTA’s main concern is the health and well-being of the subcontractor who was seriously injured today while working on the Kernan Blvd. improvement project, part of JTA’s Mobility Works program. We are fully cooperating with authorities as they investigate the cause of the accident.”

The JTA Mobility Works project was started in June 2018 to widen Kernan Boulevard along a three-mile stretch. The project includes the expansion on traffic lanes and installation of new sidewalks and traffic lights. Four lanes on the boulevard are to be expanded to six between Matthew Ungar Drive and Atlantic Boulevard. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2020.

JEA—Jacksonville’s electric, water, and sewer utility—told the press that it had no record of a request from the subcontractor to turn off power to the transmission lines in the area while the traffic signals were being installed.

Electricity is one of the most common cause of injuries on construction sites. Construction workers who are electrocuted on the job are entitled to workers’ compensation. A successful claim can cover medical treatment and sometimes even a portion of lost income.

If a claim isn’t filed properly, an injured worker risks getting denied or receiving benefits that are significantly diminished. It is for this reason that workers should hire an experienced attorney to help them fight for a full compensation.

South Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you or your loved one was injured at a job site, you should hire an attorney. Contact us for a free initial consultation and work with one of South Florida’s most experienced workers’ compensation defense attorneys.

Source: 10.25.19 construction worker critically injured in electrical accident on Kernan Boulevard.pdf

Florida Construction Company Owner Arrested for Workers’ Compensation Fraud

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worker-694267_1920-300x199A construction company owner based in Jacksonville, Florida, has been arrested for her part in an alleged workers’ compensation insurance fraud scheme.

Andrea Karau, age 50, is the owner of Andies Construction, and has been charged with money laundering, organized fraud, and structuring transactions to evade reporting or registration requirements in addition to workers’ compensation fraud. The investigation into Karau’s business practices was carried out by the Florida Department of Financial Services; Bureau of Insurance Fraud.

Investigators showed that Karau obtained a workers’ compensation insurance policy in 2016 from the Builders Mutual Insurance Company. Karau claimed her company’s payroll was only $20,000. This, the investigation showed, was less than 1 percent of her actual payroll.

From December 2016 through December 2017, it is alleged that Karau deliberately sought to conceal her company’s true payroll from her insurer. She also took measures to avoid reporting financial transactions as she was required to do according to Florida Law.

During this period, Karau wrote approximately 500 payroll checks amounting to $2.3 million. In addition, she made out $246,000 in checks to subcontractors who had no insurance coverage. Another $310,000 across almost 100 checks was made out to cash and used to cover additional payroll expenses.

In addition to concealing payroll, Karau misclassified her workers in order to further reduce her workers’ compensation insurance premiums. Although all her Karau’s employees should have been classified as carpenters, she claimed they worked in debris removal. The 2018 rate for debris removal in Florida was $9.99 while the rates for the carpentry classifications can be considerably higher.

This misclassification, coupled with the underreporting of her payroll, meant Karau’s workers’ compensation insurance premium at this time was only $2,200. According to investigators, “the premium loss on the workers’ compensation policy to Builders Insurance Group was $346,792.” She also underpaid her general liability policy by more than $100,000.

In addition to this, all financial transactions over $10,000 must be reported according to state law. The investigation discovered that Karau had avoided this requirement by writing several checks to the same individual on the same day.

I have reported on similar cases across the country. For example, siblings Gloria and Enrique Vera defrauded California’s State Fund of $6.3 million by concealing the true payroll of their construction company, Ultimate Inc., in order to lower their workers’ compensation insurance premiums. The siblings pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. In Massachusetts, Tam Vuong underreported payroll of his employment agency, UT Services Inc., and in so doing, avoided paying over $500,000 in workers’ compensation dues. Vuong is facing up to 20 years in prison.

In Florida, meanwhile, I reported on the case of Vanessa Arreguin of West Palm Beach whose company, V&G Concrete, carried out $7.5 million in business over a two-year period, while Arreguin claimed her company had made less than $50,000. If she is convicted of all the charges against her, Arreguin faces 20 years in prison.

Karau was arrested on May 12, and her bond was set at $200,000. She is scheduled for an arraignment hearing on June 4.

lorida Workers’ Compensation Fraud Defense Attorney

If you are involved in a worker’s compensation fraud investigation, then you should hire a lawyer. Contact us to set up a free initial consultation and work with one of Florida’s most experienced workers’ compensation fraud defense attorneys.

Source

2019-05-15 Construction Company Owner Arrested for Fraud