A lengthy joint investigation by Florida state officials andNationwide Insurance Company has culminated in the arrest of fiveindividuals who allegedly bilked the state's personal injuryprotection (PIP) system for personal gain.

This week's arrests include clinic owners, massage therapists,and chiropractors accused of shady dealings and billings ataccident clinics located in Port Charlotte and Fort Myers,Florida:

• Gloria Feliz, 31, a receptionist.
• Andres Bravo, 52, a massage therapist.
• Joe Gevans, 51, a facilitator.
• Gerard Jean Stephen Valere, 51, clinic owner.
• Ronald Woodley, 63, a chiropractor.

According to the office of Florida CFO Jeff Atwater, theaforementioned suspects stand accused of helping enlistpatients to churn out invoices for treatments andservices never rendered, among other crimes. A long-terminvestigation conducted by the Florida Department of FinancialServices' Division of Insurance Fraud in partnership withNationwide Insurance Company found that employees at EvansRehab Center and Charlotte Wellness and Rehab, advised patients tosign documents for rehabilitation services for injuries thatsupposedly occurred during auto accidents.

Authorities believe the clinic employees then billedinsurance companies for fraudulent treatments. Thejoint investigation also revealed that CharlotteWellness had been operating without the properstate licensure requirements.

“These arrests are another great win in the ongoing fightagainst PIP fraud in Florida,” said CFO Atwater. “I applaud the hardwork of our investigators who are able to identify and shut downthese destructive crime rings, which hurt Florida families bydriving up insurance rates for everyone.”

The Lee and Charlotte County Sheriff's offices assisted thedepartment with the investigation. Woodley, Gavens and Valere werebooked into the Charlotte County Jail, and both Feliz and Bravoswere booked into the Lee County Jail. The subjects are awaitingbond.