Thirteen unlicensed contractors were arrested in Pasco County, Florida, according to einpresswire.com. The joint operation between Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis’ fraud detectives, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and the National Insurance Crime Bureau was launched to address unlicensed contractors who failed to obtain workers’ compensation coverage.
From April 18-28, the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services’ Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Fraud, along with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and National Insurance Crime Bureau, conducted a joint sting leading to the arrest of the individuals, who were booked into the Pasco County Jail on charges that include failure to obtain workers’ compensation coverage and unlicensed contracting. If found guilty, the individuals could each face up to five years in prison.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said: “Workers’ compensation fraud places employees, customers, and businesses at unnecessary risk. Fraud also affects everyone’s rates and increases costs. This type of fraud is unethical and dangerous and absolutely will not be tolerated in our state.”
