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14 Charged in Ogemaw County Insurance Fraud Scheme

Fourteen people have been charged in a nearly $3 million insurance fraud scheme out of Ogemaw County.

The charges relate to an alleged scheme to defraud AFLAC where the accused individuals submitted fake claims of injury to AFLAC indicating that they had received treatment at the Ogemaw Chiropractic Clinic. Nearly $3 million in false claims were paid out by AFLAC for treatments that never occurred before the insurer filed an insurance fraud complaint with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.

A joint investigation was conducted by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services and the Ogemaw County Sheriff’s Office.

The individuals charged are:

  • Katie Mae Quigley, 40, of West Branch;
  • Anthony Lee McArthur, 36, of Prescott;
  • Richard Lee McArthur, 38, of West Branch;
  • Christina Marie Tanner, 51, of Pinconning;
  • Jeffrey Scott Kimball, 48, of Standish;
  • Stephanie Marie Witte-Mason, 37, of Alger;
  • Carol Christine Smith, 49, of Rose City;
  • Tina Marie Friemark, 50, of West Branch;
  • Amanda Nichole Hebert, 28, of Rose City;
  • Samantha Marie Petty, 45, of West Branch;
  • Melissa Marie Spencer, 39, of West Branch;
  • Ashley Marie Ehinger, 30, of West Branch;
  • Patricia Ann Hebert, 50, of Rose City
  • Julie Marie Peter, 44, of West Branch.

“This case began because someone suspected foul play and filed a complaint with DIFS, and I am proud of the work being done to put an end to this scheme,” said Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Director Anita Fox. “These fraudulent claims make insurance more expensive for all of us,”

All 14 were charged with one count of insurance – fraudulent acts, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison, a $50,000 fine, and the payment of restitution. As a result of the investigation, two defendants, Friemark and Ehinger, were also each charged with two counts of identity theft, a felony that also carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison, a $50,000 fine, and the payment of restitution for each count. All 14 were arraigned and are pending initial hearings.

 

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