W. Va. Woman Pleads Guilty to Insurance Fraud Charges

Andrea R. Renquest pleaded guilty in Harrison County, W. Va. to one felony count and one misdemeanor count of insurance fraud.

Renquest, 23, of Clarksburg, W. Va., admitted May 29 that she obtained a controlled substance by misrepresentation, a felony, and filed a false insurance claim, a misdemeanor, while working at a local doctor’s office.

Renquest obtained two blank prescriptions from her employer, Dr. Salam Rajjoub and then presented the forged documents to a CVS pharmacy for narcotics. These prescriptions were billed to and paid for through an insurance claim.

“Submitting fraudulent insurance claims continues to cost the citizens of West Virginia thousands of dollars a year,” Insurance Commissioner, Jane L. Cline said. “We are and will remain especially committed to reducing any and all types of insurance fraud.”

Renquest was sentenced May 29 to one to four years in prison on the felony count and thirty 30 days in jail on the misdemeanor count; however, the sentence was suspended and Renquest was placed on probation for one year. She must also perform 100 hours of community service, make full restitution on the insurance claim, and pay the cost associated with her probation and community service.

Investigation in this case has been a joint effort with the Harrison and Lewis County Drug Task Forces and the Offices of the Insurance Commissioner’s Fraud Unit.

Source: West Virginia Insurance Department