Monday, February 18, 2008

Mass. Police Officer Arraigned in Fraud Case

A Springfield, Massachusetts police officer has been arraigned in connection with insurance fraud and larceny for allegedly claiming wages for which he was not entitled. Anthony Trabal, 41, of Springfield, was charged with Attempted Larceny (2 counts), and Motor Vehicle Insurance Fraud. The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Office. The investigation reportedly found that on June 7, 2004, Trabal was in a car accident while off-duty and was injured. He was treated for his injuries at a local area rehabilitation center. Medical records from the treatment center show that Trabal received treatment for his injuries on Sept. 30, 2004, and then again on March 15, 2005. While injured, Trabal did not reportedly report to work for the Springfield Police Department during the period of June 2004 through March 20, 2005. Trabal was paid for his earned vacation and sick leave from June 2004 until Oct. 1, 2004, after which his disability benefits expired. Trabal then reportedly took an additional six months of leave time. Trabal reportedly submitted a claim to the City of Springfield for back wages covering the additional six-month period that he was out of work, and for which he was not paid. To support this claim, Trabal reportedly submitted fabricated disability certificates to the Springfield Police Department. The claims were then sent to an administrator of benefits for the City of Springfield, who then denied the claims. After being denied compensation by the City of Springfield, Trabal reportedly submitted an insurance claim for lost wages to Liberty Mutual, the insurance company for the other vehicle involved in Trabal’s June 2004 accident. Following receipt of disability certificates without corresponding medical records, Liberty Mutual determined the certificates were fabricated and referred the matter to the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts who conducted an investigation together with the Attorney General’s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Division which led to these indictments. Indictments were returned against Trabal on Dec. 5, 2007. Trabal was arraigned in Hampden Superior Court where he entered a plea of not guilty and was released on his own personal recognizance. Trabal is due back in court on March 12, 2008, for a pre-trial conference.

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