Ventura County District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced that Anna Maria Ruiz (DOB 10/20/1981) of Ojai, was sentenced to serve 210 days in the Ventura County jail for committing medical insurance fraud.
In January 2018, Ruiz pled guilty to 11 counts of violating Penal Code section 550(a)(l), felony insurance fraud. In addition, she admitted an excessive taking allegation for stealing more than $65,000 and an aggravated white-collar crime special allegation for taking more than $100,000.
She was facing about 30 counts of the felony offense, which she initially denied, but admitted to some of the counts as part of a plea agreement.
Prosecutors said Ruiz was employed by Ventura County Pulmonary Medical Group when she submitted 30 fraudulent insurance claims to American Family Life Assurance Co. of Columbus (AFLAC). Ruiz used her knowledge of medical billing to submit the fraudulent claims.
She received payments of $127,710 for these completely fabricated insurance claims.
In addition to the jail sentence, Ruiz was placed on probation for 72 months and ordered to pay $127,710 in restitution to AFLAC.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Valencia Office of the California Department of Insurance.