Coalition Against Insurance Fraud Announces Its 2025 Hall of Shame:
A Lineup of Insurance Fraud’s Most Egregious Offenders
WASHINGTON, D.C. January 20, 2026 – The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud announced its 2025 Hall of Shame, recognizing some of the most audacious, costly, and damaging insurance fraud cases from across the United States. The annual Hall of Shame highlights criminal schemes that exploited insurance systems, endangered lives, and undermined public trust, while underscoring the real consequences of fraud.
“These cases remind the public that insurance fraud is not a victimless crime,” said
Michelle Rafeld, Coalition Executive Director. “It drives up costs, harms innocent
people, and diverts resources away from those who truly need help. The Hall of Shame shines a spotlight on fraudsters and on the justice system that holds them accountable.”
2025 Hall of Shame Inductees
Maryland Couple’s $20 Million Life Insurance Fraud
Maureen and James Wilson carried out a large-scale life insurance fraud scheme by obtaining more than 40 policies worth over $20 million through false applications that misrepresented applicants’ health, wealth, and existing coverage. To maintain the scheme, they also defrauded investors to pay premiums, laundered money through multiple accounts, and filed false tax returns to hide their activities from insurers and the IRS.
Reality TV Farmer Convicted in Crop Insurance Fraud
Missouri farmer and reality television personality Steven McBee was convicted for
manipulating crop insurance claims between 2018 and 2020. By underreporting
harvests and collecting inflated subsidies, McBee fraudulently obtained millions. He was ordered to serve 24 months in prison and pay $4 million in restitution.
Florida Contractor’s Deadly Shortcut Leads to Prison
Florida contractor Manuel Domingos Pita evaded safety rules, insurance requirements, and taxes until a fatal workplace accident exposed the scheme. Authorities uncovered $22 million in unpaid workers’ compensation premiums and $33 million in tax liabilities. Pita was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to pay $55 million in restitution.
Florida Brothers’ Roofing Fraud Scheme
Travis and Tripp Slaughter ran multiple roofing companies while executing a $10 million tax and insurance fraud scheme. By misclassifying workers and concealing payroll, they failed to report more than $23 million in wages. The brothers received prison sentences of 41 months and 21 months, respectively.
Former Illinois OB-GYN Defrauds Patients and Insurers
OB-GYN Dr. Mona Ghosh exploited patient trust by falsely diagnosing individuals with cancer and prescribing unnecessary treatments to fund a lavish lifestyle. The scheme resulted in $1.5 million in losses. She pleaded guilty to two counts of healthcare fraud and was sentenced to ten years in prison and ordered to pay $1.5 million in restitution.
Texas Doctor’s $118 Million in Healthcare Fraud
For nearly two decades, Dr. Jorge Zamora-Quezada falsely diagnosed patients with
rheumatoid arthritis, billing insurers for unnecessary and harmful treatments. The fraud totaled $118 million. Authorities seized luxury assets, including multiple properties and vehicles. Zamora-Quezada received a 10-year federal prison sentence.
Fatal San Diego Hit-and-Run Followed by Insurance Fraud
After a deadly hit-and-run that killed bartender Joshua Gilliland, Brandon Janik
attempted to cover up the crime with a false insurance claim. A jury convicted Janik of murder, vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run, and fraud. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Fake Rolex Scam Nets Prison Time
Bryce Douglas Murphy of Peosta, Iowa, attempted to pass off counterfeit Rolex watches as stolen luxury items in an insurance claim. Investigators uncovered a repeat offense. Murphy was sentenced to 10 years in prison, plus fines and restitution.
Former Correctional Officer Files Bogus Disability Claims
Racquel Britt Davis of Baltimore submitted 18 fraudulent disability and accident
insurance claims using falsified medical documentation. She received a 10-year
sentence, with all but six months suspended, and was ordered to pay restitution.
Fire Official Commits Arson for Insurance Payout
West Virginia fire official Donald Ennis burned his own home to collect insurance
proceeds while also misusing public funds. He was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $500,000 in restitution.
Decade-Long Arson and Insurance Fraud Scheme
Evette “Betty” Osuegbu of Granite City, Illinois, orchestrated multiple arsons over nearly a decade to collect insurance payouts, exploiting vulnerable individuals in the process. She was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.
Texas Man Sentenced for Multi-million Dollar Insurance Scheme
Jordan Ford of Dallas, with the help of accomplices, recruited insurance company
employees to steal personal information from legitimate claims. They then impersonated policyholders to steal more than $4.4 million from 3 insurance companies. His scheme ended with a 13-year prison sentence and $4 million in restitution.
The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud uses the Hall of Shame to educate consumers, policymakers, and industry leaders about the scope, magnitude and consequences of insurance fraud and to encourage the reporting of suspicious activity.
“Fraud affects everyone,” added Rafeld. “These cases show that whether the scheme involves healthcare, workers’ compensation, life insurance, or property coverage, fraudsters are eventually caught.”
To report suspected insurance fraud, visit insurancefraud.org.
For more information or to join the conversation, please contact:
Joseph Matos
Head of Communications & Creative Services
Coalition Against Insurance Fraud
Communications@insurancefraud.org
(202) 250-3250
About the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud:
The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud is a national nonprofit alliance of more than 300 organizations. Membership is composed of insurers, consumer advocacy groups, government agencies, and law enforcement, all united in the fight against insurance fraud. Founded in 1993, the Coalition works to combat fraud through education, advocacy, and research, aiming to protect consumers, promote ethical practices, and reduce the estimated $308.6 billion in annual fraud-related costs to the insurance industry and policyholders. It serves as a trusted voice and resource, bringing together diverse stakeholders to advance policies, share intelligence, and raise awareness about emerging insurance fraud threats.