Fort Washington Woman Sentenced for Misdemeanor Theft in Insurance Fraud Scheme

BALTIMORE, MD ( September 22, 2010) - Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Belinda Diana Smith, 45, of Fort Washington, pled guilty and has been sentenced on a single count of misdemeanor theft. Prince George’s County District Court Judge Joel D. Worshtil imposed an 18 month suspended sentence, and ordered two years probation and 50 hours of community service.

From February, 2005 through June, 2006, Randii Adams, who is the defendant’s cousin, worked as the office manager for a dental practice in Upper Marlboro. While employed at the dental practice, Adams filed false insurance claims using the names of her family members, including Smith. The insurance company, Ameritas Life Insurance Corporation, wrote checks reimbursing the dental office for the false claims. After the checks were sent to the dental office, Adams endorsed them to Smith who then cashed the checks and split the money with Adams. The dentist notified the insurance company and police that she thought Adams and Smith were involved in the fraud. An investigation by the Insurance Fraud Division of the Maryland Insurance Administration and the Maryland State Police revealed that Adams and Smith stole $5,810.40 from Ameritas.

The conviction follows a joint investigation by the Insurance Fraud Division of the Maryland Insurance Administration, the Maryland State Police and the Office of the Attorney General. In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Gansler thanked Assistant Attorneys General Roberta Siskind and Ilene Nathan for their work on the case.