Physician charged with disability insurance fraud

A Sylvan Lake physician has been charged with multiple counts alleging she filed fraudulent disability insurance claims, resulting in years of receiving fraudulent payments.

Dr. Rainna Furnari Brazil, 57, a licensed osteopathic physician, received disability insurance payments from the Unum Life Insurance Company of America, according to a statement from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Nessel alleges that Brazil obtained a new job and resumed working as a physician while receiving more than $300,000 in disability insurance payments from 2018-2021.

Nessel also alleges that Brazil lied repeatedly to the insurance company, denying that she had returned to work for compensation.

Brazil was arraigned March 4 in 48th District Court in Bloomfield Township on:

• Two counts of false pretenses — $100,000 or more, a felony punishable by 20 years and/or a fine of $35,000

• One count of false pretenses — $50,000 or more but less than $100,000, a felony punishable by 15 years and/or a fine of $25,000

• One count of false pretenses — $20,000 or more but less than $50,000, a felony punishable by 15 years and/or a fine of $15,000

• Two counts of taxes — failure to file, a felony punishable by five years

• One count of insurance fraud, a felony punishable by four years and/or a fine of $50,0000.

Brazil was granted a $25,000 cash/surety bond. A probable cause conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, March 14 in 48th District Court.

“Insurance fraud, on as large a scale as is alleged here or in any measure, ultimately hurts other insurance customers and honest claimants,” said Nessel.

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Fraud Investigation Unit referred the case to Nessel’s office.

“Disability insurance coverage provides an important lifeline for Michiganders when they need it most, and those who engage in fraud related to these policies drive up the cost of insurance for all Michigan consumers and businesses,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox.

Michiganders who suspect fraud can report it at https://www.michigan. gov/difs/consumers/fraud/ report-fraud or by calling DIFS at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

In most cases, you can report suspected fraud anonymously.