The legal troubles for Rainier Miguel Salas, a 59-year-old Cuban accused of running a "fraudulent insurance school" near Miami International Airport, are mounting. Salas is now confronted with 19 new charges, including organized scheme to defraud, communications fraud, and operating as an unlicensed insurance agent.
Salas was initially arrested in late June for allegedly operating an insurance school in Virginia Gardens, where 820 license exams were reportedly tampered with. Also implicated in the case are his son, Rainier Alexander Salas, a 27-year-old Miami resident, and his ex-wife, Diana Nodarse Cruz, a 36-year-old from Miami Lakes, who are facing related charges.
New Charges Linked to Illegal Use of Insurance Licenses
Authorities, as reported by Local 10, have stated that the latest charges against Salas are associated with the illegal use of his son's insurance license. An arrest report reveals that Salas, with a history of insurance fraud, unlawfully altered client policies to earn illicit commissions.
In one instance, two victims reported an unexpected $900 copayment after enrolling in a plan they were told would fully cover the costs.
Fraudulent Policy Modifications
Investigators from the Insurance Fraud Bureau uncovered that Salas changed coverage details and agents on policies without clients' consent. One affected individual claimed their policy was altered twice to assign a different agent.
In a similar incident, Yurisadairis Salazar Salazar, a 36-year-old Cuban from Miramar, allegedly made comparable unauthorized changes. Salazar was apprehended in early December alongside Darwin José Ayala, a 39-year-old insurance agent from Doral.
Another involved party, Jaroslav Verner, a 32-year-old from Alpharetta, Georgia, was arrested in late September. Meanwhile, Karla Lit Peralta, a 26-year-old from Miami Gardens, was initially accused in the scheme but had her charges dropped after becoming a cooperating witness, according to prosecutors.
Rainier Miguel Salas remains in custody at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with a bond set at $47,500. The investigation is ongoing.
Understanding the Miami Insurance Fraud Scheme
What was Rainier Miguel Salas accused of?
Rainier Miguel Salas was accused of operating a fraudulent insurance school and tampering with 820 license exams in Virginia Gardens.
Who else is implicated in the fraud scheme?
His son, Rainier Alexander Salas, his ex-wife, Diana Nodarse Cruz, Yurisadairis Salazar Salazar, Darwin José Ayala, and Jaroslav Verner are also implicated in the scheme.
What are the new charges against Salas related to?
The new charges are related to the illegal use of his son's insurance license and unauthorized changes to client policies.