NUR
2009-03-27 00:49:47 UTC
MEALEY'S LITIGATION REPORT
California Insurance
Volume 3, Issue #8
February 2004
California Doctor, Lawyer,
4 Others Charged With
Auto Insurance Fraud
LOS ANGELES -- A physician and lawyer were arrested Jan. 13 along with
two others on charges of theft, conspiracy and insurance fraud for
allegedly participating in a scheme to fraudulently bill automobile
insurers for medical claims (People of the State of California v.
Parviz Berjis M.D., et al., No. BA257860, Calif. Super., Los Angeles
Co.).
(Felony complaint for arrest warrant available. Document
#20-040128-005C.)
The arrests were made by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office
pursuant to a felony complaint for arrest warrant charging six people
in the scheme. The complaint names Baha'i physician Parviz Kahn
Berjis, Baha'i attorney Fariba Rahimi,Baha'i medical office
administrator Katayoun Jahangani, Fereydoun Razy, Mahmoud Rahimian and
Masood Yazarlou.
The complaint alleges that the defendants made fraudulent claims to
insurance companies between Jan. 1, 1996, and Dec. 17, 2003, to at
least 11 insurance companies, the Automobile Club of California and
the State of California.
Alleged Scheme
For example, the complaint alleges that Yazarlou coached an undercover
investigator on what to tell the physician regarding an alleged auto
injury, then sent him to Berjis' office, where he was examined by
Rahimian, who is not a medical doctor. According to the complaint, the
undercover investigator read his symptoms to Rahimian from a slip of
paper and was told he would have to visit the office only once. Later,
Yazarlou allegedly coached the investigator to tell people he was
experiencing pain, and arranged for Berjis and the investigator to
split the insurance settlement. Yazarlou was allegedly paid out of
Berjis' half of the settlement. Berjis' office ultimately submitted an
initial claim for $3,799 to the insurer, including statements that the
investigator made 16 office visits, according to the complaint.
In addition, the complaint alleges that the investigator was later
told to sign multiple physical therapy sign-in sheets in different
colored inks. Rahimi represented the investigator in his claim and at
an examination under oath. The insurer ultimately paid $8,500.
The complaint also sets out details of claims made on behalf of a
second undercover investigator and Razy and alleges that Berjis'
medical files for at least 600 patients were incomplete and missing
necessary documentation.
Charges
All the defendants are charged with one count each of grand theft and
conspiracy.
In addition, Berjis is charged with four counts of insurance fraud and
two counts of Medi-Cal fraud; Rahimi is charged with five counts of
insurance fraud; Jahangani is charged with three counts of insurance
fraud; and Razy is charged with one count of insurance fraud.
According to prosecutors, Berjis, Masood, Rahimian and Jahangani have
each pleaded not guilty; Rahimi is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 4;
and Razy has not yet appeared in court.
The case was investigated by the Los Angeles District Attorney's
Automobile Insurance Fraud Division's Bureau of Investigation with the
assistance of the California Highway Patrol, the Department of
Insurance and the various insurance companies, according to
prosecutors.
California Insurance
Volume 3, Issue #8
February 2004
California Doctor, Lawyer,
4 Others Charged With
Auto Insurance Fraud
LOS ANGELES -- A physician and lawyer were arrested Jan. 13 along with
two others on charges of theft, conspiracy and insurance fraud for
allegedly participating in a scheme to fraudulently bill automobile
insurers for medical claims (People of the State of California v.
Parviz Berjis M.D., et al., No. BA257860, Calif. Super., Los Angeles
Co.).
(Felony complaint for arrest warrant available. Document
#20-040128-005C.)
The arrests were made by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office
pursuant to a felony complaint for arrest warrant charging six people
in the scheme. The complaint names Baha'i physician Parviz Kahn
Berjis, Baha'i attorney Fariba Rahimi,Baha'i medical office
administrator Katayoun Jahangani, Fereydoun Razy, Mahmoud Rahimian and
Masood Yazarlou.
The complaint alleges that the defendants made fraudulent claims to
insurance companies between Jan. 1, 1996, and Dec. 17, 2003, to at
least 11 insurance companies, the Automobile Club of California and
the State of California.
Alleged Scheme
For example, the complaint alleges that Yazarlou coached an undercover
investigator on what to tell the physician regarding an alleged auto
injury, then sent him to Berjis' office, where he was examined by
Rahimian, who is not a medical doctor. According to the complaint, the
undercover investigator read his symptoms to Rahimian from a slip of
paper and was told he would have to visit the office only once. Later,
Yazarlou allegedly coached the investigator to tell people he was
experiencing pain, and arranged for Berjis and the investigator to
split the insurance settlement. Yazarlou was allegedly paid out of
Berjis' half of the settlement. Berjis' office ultimately submitted an
initial claim for $3,799 to the insurer, including statements that the
investigator made 16 office visits, according to the complaint.
In addition, the complaint alleges that the investigator was later
told to sign multiple physical therapy sign-in sheets in different
colored inks. Rahimi represented the investigator in his claim and at
an examination under oath. The insurer ultimately paid $8,500.
The complaint also sets out details of claims made on behalf of a
second undercover investigator and Razy and alleges that Berjis'
medical files for at least 600 patients were incomplete and missing
necessary documentation.
Charges
All the defendants are charged with one count each of grand theft and
conspiracy.
In addition, Berjis is charged with four counts of insurance fraud and
two counts of Medi-Cal fraud; Rahimi is charged with five counts of
insurance fraud; Jahangani is charged with three counts of insurance
fraud; and Razy is charged with one count of insurance fraud.
According to prosecutors, Berjis, Masood, Rahimian and Jahangani have
each pleaded not guilty; Rahimi is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 4;
and Razy has not yet appeared in court.
The case was investigated by the Los Angeles District Attorney's
Automobile Insurance Fraud Division's Bureau of Investigation with the
assistance of the California Highway Patrol, the Department of
Insurance and the various insurance companies, according to
prosecutors.