Circuit court to hear case against doc accused of collecting disability funds while working

The case against a Sylvan Lake osteopath accused of receiving payments for disability insurance claims while continuing to work has been bound over to Oakland County Circuit Court for possible trial.

Dr. Rainna Furnari Brazil, 57, is charged with three counts of false pretenses of $100,000 or more, two counts of false pretenses of $20,000 or more but less than $50,000, two counts of failing to file/filing false return, and insurance fraud. It’s alleged she received more than $400,000 in disability insurance payments from 2017 through 2021 but, contrary to terms of her insurance, was working during that period. It’s further alleged that she repeatedly lied to her insurance company, denying that she had been working as a doctor and being paid for it.

Records show Brazil’s specialty as obstetrics/gynecology with an active state license. The case against her was advanced to circuit court following a preliminary exam April 16 in 48th District Court.

For the most serious charge, false pretenses, Brazil faces up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of $35,000. The other charges are also punishable by prison time and hefty fines.

Arraignment is scheduled for April 29 before Judge David Cohen. For now, Brazil is out of custody after posting a $25,000 surety bond.