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VOL. 7 ISSUE 6 MARCH 2018
Owners of Michigan Rehab Clinic Accused in $1M Staged-Crash Scheme, 8 Others Already Convicted
A Career Painter’s Personal Experience is Cautionary Tale for Others
The owners of a physical rehabilitation clinic in Grand Rapids, MI, are accused in a $1 million scheme to defraud insurance companies by staging crashes and fraudulently submitting bills for physical-therapy services. Eight others have already been convicted for staging crashes in the area. Maria Del Carmen Ramirez-Rodriguez, a.k.a. Maria Del Carmen Pou, and Marvin David Ramirez are named in a 14-count indictment alleging conspiracy to commit mail fraud against
Back in 1985, the actor Yul Brynner was dying from cancer when he told a television audience on “Good Morning America” that what he really wanted to do was film a commercial that said, “Now that I’m gone, I’ll tell you this: Don’t smoke. Whatever you do, just don’t smoke.” When he died several months later, his wish came true when a public service announcement was produced telling the world to quit smoking. Today, it is one of the most memorable anti-smoking statements ever made and is often re-broadcasted all over the world. In life, we learn from others’ mistakes so that we don’t repeat them. In this story, a career painter has sage advice for painters and techs who don’t wear proper gear when painting cars.
by John Agar, MLive.com
no-fault auto insurance companies, healthcare fraud and mail fraud. The indictment was recently unsealed after Ramirez's arrest. Eight suspects, including residents of Wyoming, Lansing and Florida, have been convicted in the case. He was arraigned Thursday, Feb. 1, in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids. He pleaded not guilty and was released on bond. No date has been set for the co-defendant. The alleged fraud began in DeSee Staged-Crash Scheme, Page 33
Mistrial Declared in Joliet, IL, Body Shop Murder Trial, Drug Use by Victims and Killer Alleged by John Ferak, Joliet Patch
Alex Alonso and his wife, Andrea, on the beach in Florida. A former painter/tech, Alex has stage 4 kidney cancer and wants other collision professionals to be aware of the hazards associated with not wearing the proper gear on the job
Alex Alonso is 52 years old and originally from Bronx, NY. His father, Jesus, was born in Uruguay and came to the U.S. to eventually open a twoSee Cautionary Tale, Page 28
CIC Industry Meetings Discuss CCC’s Changes to ‘Secure Share’, Retains Interest in EMS Format
than requiring the use of the newer “BMS” data export file, reducing deChanges that CCC Information Servvelopment costs or forced timelines ices recently announced related to its for third-party providers to gear up to “Secure Share” data-exchange program receive BMS files. were a frequent focus of discussion at CIC Chairman Guy Bargnes said the Collision Industry Conference the CIC task force that developed early (CIC) and other meetings held recently last year to address concerns related to Secure Share successfully fulfilled in Palm Springs, CA. CIC’s mission to bring inCCC in December andustry stakeholders together nounced that it was dropping to “discuss issues, enhance plans for a 50-cent-per-estiunderstanding, find common mate fee for third-party ground and communicate providers (such as rental car companies, shop management possible solutions.” “This is a really great exsystem providers, CSI servample of the difference that ices, etc.) wishing to receive Dan Risley CIC can make when everyestimate data from CCC ONE users. It also eliminated registration body is working together for a comfees for those third-parties, and said it mon goal,” agreed ASA Executive would continue to allow such data Director Dan Risley, one of three cotransfers to be done via the commonly chairs of the CIC task force. See CCC’s Changes, Page 50 used “EMS” data export file rather by John Yoswick
Outside the scene of the crime. Image via Joliet Patch
girlfriend made several trips to Specialty Fleet on March 8, 2016. Martin was trying to find a certain type of bolt to fix his girlfriend’s blue Mazda. See Joliet Shop Murders, Page 18
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P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018
Joshua Martin, 28, grew up in Joliet, IL, around the Oram family. He spent considerable time at the family’s body shop, Specialty Fleet Painting, 809 E. Cass St. Martin stopped there on March 8, 2016, making him one of the last people to see Mike Oram, 48, and Jamie Wills, 43, alive, before both were bludgeoned to death with a hammer and a pipe wrench, according to testimony on Jan. 23 during the first day of the double murder jury trial of William “Billy” Krasawski. As it turns out, Martin and his
by Ed Attanasio
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