From Body Shop to Courtroom: Six Indicted in Insurance Fraud Case

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Everett Chief of Police Steven Mazzie, and Chief of Investigations of the Massachusetts Insurance Fraud Bureau Katherine Mulligan announced the indictment of six individuals allegedly involved in a widespread insurance fraud scheme operating out of Riviera Auto Body in Everett, Massachusetts. The indictments follow a two-year investigation by the District Attorney’s Office, Everett Police, and the Massachusetts Insurance Fraud Bureau.

Defendants Allegedly Filed Over $1 Million in Fraudulent Insurance Claims

According to authorities, Riviera Auto Body, also known as FT Auto, served as the hub for a multi-year scheme to defraud numerous insurance carriers. The alleged masterminds, Jhon Alexander Lopera Munera and Fabio Rodrigo Jordao Correa, are accused of orchestrating the submission of scores of false insurance claims totaling more than $1 million in payments.

The fraudulent claims took several forms, including descriptions of collisions that never occurred, inflated damage reports, and damage done to vehicles at the shop itself rather than in a collision. The defendants also allegedly used aliases and stolen identities in the claims.

RMV Employee Allegedly Involved in Scheme

Wanda Greene, a Registry of Motor Vehicles clerk in Revere, was also indicted for her alleged role in the scheme. Prosecutors say that defendant Munera cultivated a relationship with Greene, who performed RMV queries and transactions at Munera’s request in exchange for electronic payments and gift cards.

Defendants Face Numerous Charges

The six individuals indicted face a variety of charges:

Jhon Alexander Lopera Munera: Conspiracy, larceny, common and notorious thief, fraudulent insurance claims, bribery, giving unlawful gratuities, and offering improper compensation to a public employee

Fabio Rodrigo Jordao Correa: Conspiracy, larceny, common and notorious thief, fraudulent insurance claims, and identity fraud

Tabajara Alves Ribeiro: Conspiracy

Jose Manuel Gordon: Conspiracy and receiving stolen property

Edwin Alexander Lopera Munera: Conspiracy

Wanda Greene: Receiving bribes and unlawful gratuities as a public employee

Jhon Alexander Lopera Munera and Edwin Alexander Lopera Munera are believed to be in Colombia and remain at large. The other four defendants have been arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court. A scheduling hearing will be held to set a trial date and other events in the case.

The four been arraigned have not yet had trial dates set. The Assistant District Attorney assigned to this case is Graham Van Epps.