March 26, 2014
More than $1.5 million returned to Senior Victims of Las Vegas Health Insurance Scam
LAS VEGAS – Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto announced today that San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis distributed more than $832K in restitution funds to hundreds of California seniors scammed by Michael and Melissa Woodward, of Las Vegas, convicted defendants who sold phony health insurance plans throughout Nevada and other states.
Today’s disbursement is the second round of restitution checks sent out by the San Diego District Attorney’s Office in the case, bringing the total amount of restitution payments made to over $1.5 million. The restitution funds were acquired through the seizure and sale of property owned by the defendants at the time of their arrest.
The Nevada office of the Attorney General played a vital role in the preparation and execution of search and arrest warrants in April 2013, as well as providing legal representation to have the California orders approved by the Nevada court.
“This case is a prime example of good teamwork with law enforcement outside of our state working to keep our community safe,” said Masto. “I am glad my office was able to assist the San Diego District Attorney’s Office in stopping these individuals and give restitution to the victims.”
“Many of the elderly victims in this case lost tens of thousands of dollars after being targeted by heartless scam artists,” said DA Dumanis. “The team in the DA’s Office who worked this case has done a terrific job not only securing justice, but also getting the money back for these vulnerable seniors.”
For nearly a decade, Michael Woodward systematically targeted and defrauded seniors throughout the United States by selling worthless “in-home services agreements.” Woodward peddled these plans under different company names, including Secure Tomorrows, Home Health America, Secure Care, Americare and US Home Health. Since 2006, Woodward swindled over 230 San Diego seniors out of more than 1.9 million dollars in premiums. His take statewide was over three million dollars taken from 387 victims. His wife, Melissa, aided in his crimes.
Over the past several months, the court-appointed receiver has arranged for the various items of personal property to be put up for auction, and for the real estate to be put on the market. When potential buyers were located, approval of the sale was acquired from the sentencing judge. Upon request, members of the Nevada Attorney General’s Office initiated proceedings in Nevada state court to have the California orders approved in Nevada. This saved considerable restitution funds that would have otherwise been spent on legal fees in Nevada. Those Nevada proceedings were successfully completed a short time ago and the sale was finalized.
Information on elder abuse and elder protection can be found on the Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division Website: http://nvaging.net/. For more information on services provided by Nevada Attorney General and to report fraud visit: http://ag.nv.gov/Hot_Topics/Citizen/Senior_Protection/.
To see the original press release from San Diego District Attorney Dumanis, click here.
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