CALIFORNIA
A chiropractor and a claims adjuster were charged with allegedly conspiring to process false insurance claims for payment amounting to more than $1.6 million, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.
Agop Sarafian, 55, the claims adjuster of La Crescenta, and Shahe Kevork Topjian , 66, the chiropractor of Granada Hills, each face one felony count of insurance fraud, authorities allege.
Head Deputy Marc Beaart of the Healthcare Fraud Division said that the alleged insurance fraud occurred between June 8, 2007 and November 25, 2019.
In November 2019, State Compensation Insurance Fund where Sarafian worked began an internal investigation before the California Department of Insurance and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office became involved.
The pair is accused of defrauding State Fund by setting up fake workers’ compensation lien settlements to receive undeserved insurance payouts, officials allege.
If convicted as charged, the defendants each face up to five years in prison.
The investigation in ongoing by the California Department of Insurance, Fraud Division.