CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Arrest in $30,000 Seminole County Insurance Fraud Scheme

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Anita Jovic on charges of Organized Scheme to Defraud, Unlawful Use of a Two Way Communication Device, False and Fraudulent Insurance Claims, and Uttering a Forged Instrument for her alleged involvement in a $30,000 liability insurance fraud scheme.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, "Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime, it drives up rates for every single one of us and we will not tolerate bad actors who attempt to game the system to line their own pockets. Any attempt to commit fraud in our state will be stomped out by our fraud detectives, who work tirelessly to crack down on waste and abuse. Thank you to the DIFS detectives and Seminole County law enforcement that assisted on this fraud case."

On March 23, 2023, the Seminole County State Attorney's Office issued an arrest warrant for Jovic, which resulted in Jovic surrendering herself to the Seminole County Jail on March 28, 2023. The Division of Investigative and Forensic Services (DIFS) received a referral from Broadspire after Jovic claimed that a Pinnacle whipped cream vodka bottle cut her hand and significantly injured her. Jovic allegedly submitted a fraudulent hospital invoice to support her claim, along with a picture. Another claim of an injury was made to Beam Suntory by someone identifying as Anette Jobita a month later, also stating that a Pinnacle whipped cream vodka bottle caused serious injury to them and submitting a photograph and fraudulent hospital invoice. The insurance company identified many similarities between the two claims that led them to believe they were made by the same person.

Further investigation by DIFS led to positive identification that Jovic filed the fraudulent claim under the name Anette Jobita. The investigation also showed that Jovic filed five Product Liability claims using numerous false identities. Jovic engaged in a scheme to defraud Beam Suntory/Broadspire and Travelers Insurance of more than $30,000 in false claims, receiving approximately $13,000 in settlement payouts from the five claims filed between 2017 and 2022.

Anita Jovic was arrested on March 28, 2023, and transported to the Seminole County Jail. If convicted on all counts, she could face up to 60 years in prison.

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 About CFO Jimmy Patronis

Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).