2 Plead Guilty in West Virginia to Insurance Fraud Related Charges

West Virginia officials sentenced two Kanawha County women on insurance fraud related charges last week, according to Insurance Commissioner, Jane L. Cline.

Tina Marie Browning, 40, of Eskdale, W. Va., was indicted on one felony count each of forgery and uttering and fraudulent schemes in January. Browning later plead guilty to one count of uttering a forged document on Feb. 28, Cline said.

Linda Foster, 60, also of Eskdale, was indicted on one felony count of fraudulent schemes. Foster also pleaded guilty to the charge on Feb. 28, Cline added.

Browning and Foster wrote checks on an account and continued to receive workers’ compensation benefits meant for another individual who passed away but had lived at the same residence, according to Cline.

Both were sentenced to one to 10 years in a state penitentiary, then had their sentences suspended and each were placed on four years probation, ordered each to pay $7,500 in restitution to the Workers’ Compensation Old Fund and perform extensive community service during the duration of their probation.

Source: West Virginia Insurance Commission