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Detectives Say Fake Insurance Scheme Uncovered

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By RAY REYES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 10, 2007

SAFETY HARBOR - For more than a year, insurance underwriter Robert S. Garcia Jr. falsified homeowners and motor vehicle insurance documents, leading clients to believe they had coverage when they did not, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office detectives said Friday.

The schemes netted Garcia about $14,000 in bonuses and commissions he was not entitled to, said Detective Steve Bingham.

Garcia, 36, of 1514 Vista Del Lago Blvd., Dundee, was arrested Friday after an eight-month investigation. He is charged with one count of felony scheme to defraud and one count of forgery.

The licensed insurance underwriter was employed by State Farm Insurance agent Diana Devito at her office at 2454 N. McMullen Booth Road, Safety Harbor.

From Jan. 1, 2006, to March 2, 2007, Garcia would entice clients by providing insurance quotes to homeowners and mortgage companies that were intentionally lower or equal to competitors' quotes, according to detectives.

Once clients purchased the coverage, Garcia falsified the insurance certificates, detectives said.

There were at least two occasions in which Devito's name was forged on the documents to make it appear she had validated the policies, Bingham said.

Devito was unaware of the phony policies coming out of her office, Bingham said. Devito declined to comment.

So far, investigators had determined that at least 15 people had no homeowners insurance coverage and seven people had incomplete car insurance coverage, Bingham said. At least one person was driving with no insurance although the victim had paid for the policy, authorities said.

Garcia left Devito's office in March on good terms, according to Bingham. After his departure, clients questioning Devito about inaccuracies in their policies led her to discover the false certificates, Bingham said.

Garcia was being held Friday at Pinellas County Jail, with bail set at $60,000.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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