Florida authorities have apprehended another individual in connection with a fraudulent insurance school operating near Miami International Airport. Diana Nodarse Cruz, a 36-year-old resident of Miami Lakes, was arrested on Tuesday, facing six serious charges, including organized crime, conspiracy, and fraud. Investigators revealed that Nodarse collaborated with her husband, Rainier Miguel Salas, in a scheme that manipulated 820 state licensing exams for aspiring insurance agents.
The D&R Academy, situated in an office building at 6405 NW 36th St., Virginia Gardens, has been identified as the hub of this fraudulent operation. Authorities claim the academy charged candidates between $400 and $2,000 to have third parties complete their state licensing exams. These tests were altered using unauthorized computers, enabling the manipulation of at least 820 exams from 2021 to 2024, as reported by local media.
Investigation Uncovers Fraudulent Operations
The investigation was initiated following an audit that uncovered discrepancies in the evaluation system managed by Pearson VUE, the state’s testing contractor. Witnesses in the case disclosed that candidates were instructed to leave watches and phones outside the testing room, allowing the exams to be remotely controlled by those involved from another location. This setup enabled unauthorized individuals to take the exams on behalf of genuine candidates.
Authorities have condemned the actions of those involved as "reprehensible," confirming that the scheme encompassed a vast network of illicit activities that compromised the integrity of Florida's insurance licensing system. Diana Nodarse Cruz played a pivotal role in the operation. Her arrest report outlined duties such as scheduling appointments for illegal licenses, organizing preliminary pre-license hours, managing personal information like state IDs and credit card details, and advising her husband on fraudulent service fees.
Key Players and Arrests
Text messages retrieved from Rainier Miguel Salas's phone confirmed that Nodarse assisted her husband in acting as an unlicensed agent. In one message, Salas asked Nodarse to send him the health insurance market website to quote policies, which she did. Salas, a convicted felon prohibited from obtaining insurance licenses, also faced previous charges related to the scheme.
Nodarse joins a list of arrested individuals, including Rainier Miguel Salas, 59, her husband; Rainier Alexander Salas, 27, the principal accused's son; Jaroslav Verner, 32, from Alpharetta, Georgia, arrested in September; and Karla Lit Peralta, 26, who was previously detained but released after cooperating with the investigation. Five additional "associates" are linked to the case, though their names have not yet appeared in Miami-Dade court records.
Nodarse remains in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK) with a bail set at $12,500, contingent upon proving the funds come from a legitimate source. The cases against the other implicated individuals, including the Salas family and Verner, are still active in the judicial system.
Frequently Asked Questions on Miami-Dade Insurance Fraud Case
What charges is Diana Nodarse Cruz facing?
Diana Nodarse Cruz is facing six felony charges, including organized crime, conspiracy, and fraud.
How was the fraudulent scheme executed?
The scheme involved manipulating 820 insurance licensing exams using unauthorized computers, allowing third parties to take tests for candidates.
Who else has been arrested in connection to this scheme?
Arrested individuals include Rainier Miguel Salas, Rainier Alexander Salas, Jaroslav Verner, and Karla Lit Peralta, along with five unnamed associates.