January 24, 2017
Las Vegas, NV
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Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced that Richard Raymond Ruppert, 53, of California, pleaded guilty for his role in a healthcare insurance scam. Ruppert pleaded guilty to one count of Multiple Transactions involving Fraud or Deceit in the Course of an Enterprise or Occupation, a category "B" felony, and one count of Insurance Fraud, a category "D" felony. The fraudulent acts were committed between September 2011 and July 2012.
Ruppert participated in a scheme to defraud customers of a personal training business by charging their health insurance companies for medical services that were never provided. He and three codefendants, Shy Shalom Azoulay, Daniel Frank Massey and Charlene Pangelinan Sippio operated a personal training business under the company names of Human Performance Enhancement and My Wellness Expert. They billed more than $800,000 and were paid over $100,000 before the insurance companies began denying their claims. Ruppert is the fourth and final defendant to enter a guilty plea in this case.
"Complex schemes such as this one claim multiple victims, including those who never received the services and hardworking Nevadans whose insurance premiums are driven up as a result of this fraud," said Laxalt. "My office will remain vigilant in identifying and prosecuting these cases, and those considering making false insurance claims should consider the consequences of their actions."
Multiple Transactions involving Fraud or Deceit in the Course of an Enterprise or Occupation is punishable by up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of no more than $10,000. Insurance Fraud is punishable by up to four years of imprisonment and a fine of no more than $5,000. The sentencing hearing for Ruppert is scheduled for May 22, 2017, in the Eighth Judicial District Court.
This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Attorney General's Insurance Fraud Unit. The amended criminal indictment for Richard Raymond Ruppert is attached. If you believe you have been victim of healthcare fraud, you may file a complaint with our office
here
.
(Photo courtesy of the California Department of Motor Vehicles)
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