The Georgia Insurance Commissioner’s Office sent law enforcement agents to search two Bibb County homes last week. The searches were part of an insurance fraud investigation that was launched after insurance companies complained that two Macon women tried to fraudulently collect $400,000.

The Macon Telegraph has the story.

The two women, Sharon Marberry and her daughter-in-law Jessica Marberry, allegedly falsified pharmacy bills in order to receive reimbursements. Specifically, police claim that the women used pharmacy receipts from CVS to file for reimbursements from Aetna and Golden Rule. Police have also alleged that the women used fictitious names to acquire the insurance policies.

Aetna and Golden Rule alerted authorities after paying out approximately $130,000. In total, the women are accused of submitting claims in the amount of around $400,000. Authorities believe that the fraud lasted for less than a year, but police also say that the total extent of the alleged fraud is unknown.

The women’s two homes were searched last Thursday for computer files, receipts, bank records or any other documents which may point towards fraud.

Under Georgia law, a person who is convicted of filing a fraudulent insurance claim faces two to ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine. A person accused of this crime may face additional charges as well.

Our firm has successfully handled many insurance fraud cases. In our experience, people accused of insurance fraud often have no knowledge of any illegal activity or simply did not intend to commit any fraud. A good criminal defense attorney will work with prosecutors and law enforcement to show that his or her client never intended any wrongdoing. A good defense attorney will also seek to suppress any evidence that police confiscated during the search of a home or office. In many cases, these early efforts will result in a dismissal or reduced charge well before trial.