Three Fraud Arrests Made in Western N.Y.

New York Superintendent of Insurance Gregory Serio announced the arrests of three western New Yorkers, Lynda Morganti of Cheektowaga, Richard Vacanti formerly of Buffalo and Kevin Lis of Buffalo, who have been charged with a variety of insurance frauds.

It is alleged that Richard Vacanti, 51, moved to Florida while collecting workers’ comp benefits relative to two claims pertaining to injuries he sustained while working as a licensed practical nurse in Buffalo.

While residing in Florida, Vacanti reportedly continued to submit documents reflecting his ongoing inability to return to gainful employment, and therefore continued to receive benefit checks. The investigation revealed that he had returned to gainful employment, including nursing, and therefore, illegally collected $4,770.

Kevin Lis reportedly began collecting workers’ compensation benefits from Oriska Insurance, after claiming a back injury sustained while he was employed in a tire-retreading firm in Buffalo. It is alleged that he collected approximately $1,400 fraudulently because he had in fact been working.

Lynda Morganti, 31, allegedly reported to the Cheektowaga Police that her 1994 Chevrolet was stolen from her driveway. The car was recovered the following day in the City of Buffalo destroyed by fire. The investigation revealed that the car was set on fire at the request of Morganti so that she could avail herself of approximately $3,000 in insurance money.