Daniel Johnston, Executive Director of the IFB presented the check in person to District Attorney Marian Ryan
The Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts has awarded the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office a $50,000 dollar grant to fund insurance fraud investigations and prosecutions.
“Our office has had a longstanding, productive partnership with the Insurance Fraud Bureau investigating and prosecuting those who commit insurance fraud,” said District Attorney Ryan. “Insurance fraud and abuse of the system costs everyone money. This financial support allows us to continue our work in this area.”
The grant made in coordination with the Commissioner of Insurance, is funded by the Arbella Mutual Insurance Company. Since 2003, the Quincy-based insurer has been providing funds for grants to help combat insurance fraud investigations throughout the Commonwealth.
What the Middlesex District Attorney intends to do with the money
Middlesex DA Ryan will use the $50,000 in grant money to fund its newly formed Special Investigations Unit. The unit was formed by the DA to focus on investigations involving cases of insurance fraud, embezzlement, drug trafficking, white collar crimes and other related illegal activity. The newly formed unit is comprised of Assistant District Attorneys, Financial Analysts, Forensic Examiners, Paralegals and State Police Detectives.
“Just last month, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office indicted Yongshuo Qu, 45, of Medford and Hudson N.H., on 13 counts of insurance fraud for allegedly fraudulently billing insurance companies for services such as acupuncture and massages that he did not provide to his customers. The case was investigated by the DA’s office and the Insurance Fraud Bureau. In another recent joint investigation between the District Attorney and IFB, the MDAO indicted a former Burlington police officer on charges of falsifying prescriptions and making false disability claims.”
In addition to investigating cases like those mentioned above, the money also will be used to pay for staff costs associated with the Middlesex DA Office’s role in the Community Insurance Fraud Initiative.
As Massachusetts’ biggest county and one of the largest counties in the country, Middlesex County comprises approximately 54 towns and cities along with 26 colleges. It also boasts more than one quarter of the population of Massachusetts. In return, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office prosecutes more than 35,000 cases on an annual basis.
