Command Investigations announces the arrest of Miguel Rojas for workers’ compensation fraud in California.

Rojas is charged with:

• California Penal Code 550(B)(3) - Misrepresentation to Receive Benefits
• California Insurance Code 1871.4(A)(1) - Workers’ Compensation Fraud
• California Insurance Code 1871.4(A)(1) - Workers’ Compensation Fraud

Command initiated an investigation into Rojas after he reported work-related injury while employed as a framing contractor.

Despite being on a no work status and telling his treating physician that he was not working, surveillance documented the subject performing construction work over multiple days at several construction sites.

Based on these findings, all evidence gathered was submitted to the California Department of Insurance, Fraud Division, as statutorily required.

Miguel Rojas was arrested on November 27, 2019 on an unrelated charge and subsequently charged with two counts of Workers’ Compensation Fraud and one count of Misrepresentation to Receive Benefits.

Rojas pled no contest to the insurance fraud charges and on March 30, 2020, he was sentenced to pay enforceable restitution in the amount of $7,233.80. Rojas is currently serving a three-year sentence on an unrelated felony charge.

All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Based in Lake Mary, Florida, Command Investigations is a private investigation company that offers surveillance, medical canvasses, social media investigations and other investigative services to the insurance defense community. Ranked as one of the fastest growing companies in Florida, Command is best known for its unparalleled customer service and unmatched turnaround times. With offices in Orlando, Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York, Command offers national service with a local feel.

Command Investigations announces the arrest of Marion Pipkins for workers’ compensation fraud.

Pipkins is charged with:

• Florida Statute 440.105(4)(b) – Workers’ Compensation Fraud ($20,000 - $100,000)
• Florida Statute 817.234(11)(b) – False/Fraud Insurance Claim $20,000-<$100,000
• Florida Statute 812.014(2)(b)1 – Grand Theft Over $20,000
• Florida Statute 440.105(4)(a)3 – Failure to Secure Workers’ Compensation Insurance Coverage

Command initiated an investigation into Pipkins after he sustained a work-related injury while performing construction work as the owner/operator of his own company.

Surveillance documented him performing construction work at a private residence despite restrictions of sedentary work only, with no lifting or climbing.

During our investigation, we learned the subject was also being investigated by the Florida Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) for lack of coverage after a stop work order was issued.

Additional evidence surfaced that Pipkins had submitted DWC19’s claiming zero earnings, despite our video documentation of him working.

Based on these findings, all evidence was gathered was submitted to the Florida Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF), as statutorily required.

Pipkins was arrested on August 8, 2019 in Volusia County.

All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Based in Lake Mary, Florida, Command Investigations is a private investigation company that offers surveillance, medical canvasses, social media investigations and other investigative services to the insurance defense community. Ranked as one of the fastest growing companies in Florida, Command is best known for its unparalleled customer service and unmatched turnaround times. With offices in Orlando, Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York, Command offers national service with a local feel.

February 7, 2019. Command Investigations, Packard Claims Administration and Lion Insurance Company announce the arrest of Luciano Hidalgo on several charges.

Hidalgo was arrested by the Lake Alfred Police Department in Polk County, Florida on January 20, 2019 and faces the following charges:

• F.S. 901.04 – Workman comp fraud
• F.S. 322.03(1) – No valid drivers license
• F.S. 322.212(1)(A) – Possession of a counterfeit driver’s license/ID
• F.S. 901.04 – Fraud/use of person’s ID info
• Detention hold

He is currently being held without bail by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Command opened an investigation into Hidalgo after he sustained an alleged work-related injury.

Shortly after, Command’s Claims Data Verification Program™ (CDVP™) pinpointed false and misleading information that Hildago provided to receive medical treatment and workers’ compensation benefits.

Based on the evidence collected, Command’s Special Investigative Unit (SIU) referred Hidalgo’s claim to the Florida Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Fraud, as statutorily required.

All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Command Investigations, LLC is the preferred provider of surveillance, SIU and anti-fraud programming, Claims Buzz™ social media investigations and monthly monitoring, iNQuest™ medical canvasses and background investigations to the insurance defense community.

October 25, 2018. Command Investigations and Preferred Governmental Claims Solutions (PGCS) announce that Mary Cornell has accepted a Pre-Trial Diversion agreement.

Cornell’s Pre-Trial Diversion agreement covers the following charges:

• Florida Statute 440.105(4)(B)(7) – False Statement Workers’ Comp Claim $20,000 to $100,000
• Florida Statute 812.014(2)(B) – Grand Theft $20,000 to $100,000
• Florida Statute 837.02(1) – Perjury in Official Proceedings

As part of the agreement, Cornell must pay $27,648.72 in enforceable restitution, perform 50 hours of community service and complete one year of the pre-trial diversion program.

Command Investigations began an investigation into Cornell after she sustained an alleged work-related injury.

In a sworn statement after her alleged injury, Cornell indicated she was unable to conduct any type of yardwork besides ‘light raking.’

Further, she stated she couldn’t bend at the waist and only performed light house work.

Additionally, Cornell communicated to her treating physicians that she was in severe pain, could not work and was unable to bend, sit or stand for long periods of time.

Nevertheless, surveillance conducted throughout the investigation documented Cornell performing tasks inconsistent with her sworn statements. She was observed raking, digging holes, carrying stepping stones, bending, squatting and laying down sod.

Based on Cornell’s material misrepresentation and the supporting surveillance, Command’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) department was statutorily required to report the claim to the Florida Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Fraud.

Cornell was arrested on August 30, 2018 in Brevard County, Florida.

Command Investigations, LLC is the preferred provider of surveillance, SIU and anti-fraud programming, Claims Buzz™ social media investigations and monthly monitoring, iNQuest™ medical canvasses and background investigations to the insurance defense community.

September 19, 2018. Command Investigations, Next Level Administrators (NLA) and SUNZ Insurance Company (SUNZ) announce that Jose Sanchez has plead no contest to workers’ compensation fraud.

Sanchez was ordered to pay $1,063.66 in enforceable restitution to SUNZ and sentenced to 48 months of probation with 45 days of jail work camp.

Command’s Claims Data Verification Program™ (CDVP™) concluded that Sanchez presented erroneous and disingenuous information to acquire workers’ compensation benefits.

As a result, Command’s Special Investigative Unit (SIU) was statutorily required to refer Sanchez’s claim to the Florida Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Fraud for material misrepresentation.

Command Investigations, LLC is the preferred provider of surveillance, SIU and anti-fraud programming, Claims Buzz™ social media investigations and monthly monitoring, iNQuest™ medical canvasses and background investigations to the insurance defense community.

September 17, 2018. Command Investigations and Frank Winston Crum Insurance announce that Denis Gerardo Figueroa-Medina has plead guilty to workers’ compensation fraud.

Figueroa-Medina was sentenced to 18 months of probation and ordered to serve 50 hours of community service.

Command opened an investigation on Figueroa-Medina after he was involved in a motor vehicle accident on his way to a jobsite.

During the investigation, Command’s Claims Data Verification Program™ (CDVP™) determined that Figueroa-Medina presented inaccurate and deceptive information to collect workers’ compensation benefits.

Based upon the evidence and in accordance with F.S. 440.105, Command’s Special Investigative Unit (SIU) referred Figueroa-Medina’s claim to the Florida Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Fraud, as statutorily required.

He was arrested on March 30, 2018 in Nassau County, Florida and extradited to Duval County, Florida several weeks later.

Command Investigations, LLC is the preferred provider of surveillance, SIU and anti-fraud programming, Claims Buzz™ social media investigations and monthly monitoring, iNQuest™ medical canvasses and background investigations to the insurance defense community.

September 13, 2018. Command Investigations and Preferred Governmental Claims Solutions (PGCS) announce the arrest of Mary Cornell for insurance fraud.

Cornell was arrested on August 30, 2018, in Brevard County Florida, and charged with the following:

• Florida Statute 440.105(4)(B)(7) – False Statement Workers Comp $20,000 to $100,000
• Florida Statute 812.014(2)(B) – Grand Theft $20,000 to $100,000
• Florida Statute 837.02(1) – Perjury in Official Proceedings

She was released after posting $12,000.00 bond.

Command initiated an investigation into Cornell after she sustained an alleged work-related injury.

In a sworn statement following her injury, Cornell expressed that she was unable to perform any type of yardwork other than ‘light raking.’ Furthermore, she said she couldn’t bend at the waist and could only perform light house work.

In addition, Cornell reported to her treating physicians that she was in extreme pain, was unable to bend, sit or stand for long periods of time and could not work.

However, video surveillance conducted throughout the investigation documented Cornell performing tasks inconsistent with her sworn statement. Physical activities included raking, digging holes, carrying stepping stones, bending, squatting and laying sod down.

Based upon Cornell’s material misrepresentation and the supporting investigative surveillance evidence, Command’s SIU Department was statutorily required to report this matter to the Florida Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Fraud.

All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Command Investigations, LLC is the preferred provider of surveillance, SIU and anti-fraud programming, Claims Buzz™ social media investigations and monthly monitoring, iNQuest™ medical canvasses and background investigations to the insurance defense community.

August 1, 2018. Command Investigations, Packard Claims Administration and Lion Insurance Company announce that Maria Araceli Abdala-Vivieros has pled nolo contendere/no contest to insurance fraud.

On June 29, 2018, Abdala-Vivieros entered a plea of nolo contendere/no contest and was sentenced to one year of probation regarding the following charge:

• F.S. 440.104(3)(c) – Receiving Unauthorized Coverage

As part of her plea agreement, no restitution was ordered.

Command instituted an investigation into Abdala-Vivieros after she suffered an alleged work-related injury.

During the investigation, Command’s Claims Data Verification Program™ (CDVP™) pinpointed that she furnished false and misleading information to receive medical treatment and workers’ compensation benefits.

Because of the investigative findings, Command’s SIU department was statutorily required to refer Abdala-Vivieros’ claim to the Florida Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Fraud for material misrepresentation.

She was originally charged with two counts of Workers’ Compensation Fraud on August 14, 2015, but she then fled the state of Florida as a fugitive and remained on the run for multiple years.

Abdala-Vivieros was arrested on September 12, 2017 in Hamilton County, Ohio and extradited to St. Lucie County, Florida on February 15, 2018.

She was then released on $10,000 bond.

Command Investigations, LLC is the preferred provider of surveillance, SIU and anti-fraud programming, Claims Buzz™ social media investigations and monthly monitoring, iNQuest™ medical canvasses and background investigations to the insurance defense community.

July 18, 2018. Command Investigations, Packard Claims Administration and Lion Insurance Company announce that Don English has pled nolo contendere/no contest to workers’ compensation fraud.

English was sentenced to three years of probation, and is required to pay Packard $5,000.00 in enforceable restitution.

Command began an investigation into English after he suffered injuries to his chest and back in a motor vehicle accident while in a company vehicle.

During the investigation, English provided a sworn statement claiming he was unable to complete small tasks including washing dishes and driving his vehicle, and he denied doing any cleanup work following Hurricane Matthew.

However, Command obtained video surveillance of English driving his vehicle as well as video of him standing on his roof and utilizing garden shears to cut branches above his head following the hurricane.

Further, English was documented utilizing a basketball hoop to get down from his roof after he was done cutting branches.

English’s sworn statements were clearly contradicted by the video surveillance, as he was observed conducting activities with a full range of motion.

Subsequently, Command’s SIU department referred English’s claim to the Florida Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) for material misrepresentation, as English misrepresented his physical capabilities in his sworn statement and to his treating physicians to obtain workers’ compensation benefits.

English was arrested on November 30, 2017 in Volusia County, Florida.

Command Investigations, LLC is the preferred provider of surveillance, SIU and anti-fraud programming, Claims Buzz™ social media investigations and monthly monitoring, iNQuest™ medical canvasses and background investigations to the insurance defense community.

June 20, 2018. Command Investigations, Next Level Administrators (NLA) and SUNZ Insurance Company (SUNZ) announce the arrest of Guadalupe Hernandez for insurance fraud.

Hernandez was arrested on June 4, 2018, in Sumter County Florida, and charged with the following:

- Florida Statute 440.105-4b9 - Use False ID for WC Claim

She was released after posting $250.00 bond.

Command initiated an investigation into Hernandez after she sustained an alleged work-related injury.

Subsequently, Command’s Claims Data Verification Program™ (CDVP™) identified that Hernandez provided false and misleading information to receive medical treatment and workers’ compensation benefits.

As statutorily required based upon the investigative findings, Command’s Special Investigative Unit (SIU) referred Hernandez’s claim to the Florida Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Fraud.

All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Command Investigations, LLC is the preferred provider of surveillance, SIU and anti-fraud programming, Claims Buzz™ social media investigations and monthly monitoring, iNQuest™ medical canvasses and background investigations to the insurance defense community.