June 5-7, 2019
Orlando, FL
Caribe Royale
Previous Recipients
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2018
Complex Insurance Fraud Investigation Team Award
The Complex Insurance Fraud Investigative Team Award is a joint award that is inclusive of law
enforcement units, Special Investigation units, defense attorneys, and prosecutors who have worked
together to successfully resolve an insurance fraud investigation.
Organized Homeowners Insurance Fraud Scheme
Team Members:
Miami-Dade Police Dept., Arson Insurance Fraud Squad
Sergeant Jorge Aventrani
Detective Ayme Sacramento
Detective Alfonso Najera
Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, DIFS
Detective Charles Toledo
Crime Intelligence Analyst Jeanne Parker
Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office
Assistant State Attorney Laura Uriarte
The Jerry Zappolo Distinguished Service Award
An individual who excels in preventing insurance fraud through exceptional leadership and by educating the Public and State/Private Agencies about various insurance fraud schemes and remedies through classroom presentations, seminars,
and media exposure.
Tony Fernandez
Supervisory Special Agent
National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)
Guy E. “Sandy” Burnette, Jr. Insurance Fraud Attorney of the Year
Medical Provider Insurance Fraud
John Roman
Assistant Statewide Prosecutor
Office of Statewide Prosecution
FL Attorney General’s Office
Law Enforcement Detective of the Year
Medical Provider Insurance Fraud
Detective Robert Jackson
FL Division of Investigative and Forensic Services
Insurance Investigator of the Year
Auto Insurance Fraud
Randy Oberst
Special Investigator
Liberty Mutual
2017
Guy E. "Sandy" Burnette Jr. Insurance Defense Attorney of the Year:
Guy E. "Sandy" Burnette Jr.
Law Firm of Guy E. Burnette Jr, PA
Insurance Investigator of the Year
Juli Hyde
Farmers Insurance
Insurance/Law Enforcement Analyst of the Year
Brant Houston
Mercury Insurance
Law Enforcement Detective of the Year
Frank Shipman
DIFS, Miami Field Office
Law Enforcement Prosecutor of the Year
Richard Wallsh
Assistant State Attorney, 9th Judicial Circuit
Jerry Zappolo Distinguished Service Award
Marilyn O'Brien
Allstate Insurance Company
Group Achievement Award
Insurance Fraud Fighter's Team:
NICB - Terra Rush; DIFS Tampa Field - Lt. Carlos Rosario and Detectives.
Phil Henry, Jada Roberson, Miguel Mora, Rick Warnell;
DOH Investigator David Hayden;
AHCA Investigators - Thomas Walhs, Rafael Ortega;
Insurance Investigators:
Nationwide - Sam Rivera; Metlife - Nancy Jensen; Windhaven - Blanca Aparicio
2016
Law Enforcement Investigator of the Year
James Pierre
Florida Dept. of Financial Services DFS: Investigator II
Insurance Attorney of the Year
Juliana Millon
Law Offices of Dolina Lordeus Lascaze
Law Enforcement Prosecutor of the Year
David G. Lazarus
United States Department of Justice
Insurance Investigator of the Year
Deanna Ricci
Travelers Insurance Company
Insurance/Law Enforcement Analyst of the Year
Kathy Novak
NICB
Jerry Zappolo Distinguished Service Award
Simon Blank
Florida Dept. of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud: Director
2015
Law Enforcement Detective of the Year
Det. Bryan McGuinness
DIF
Law Enforcement Prosecutor of the Year
Sean Wydner, Esq.
Assistant State Attorney Broward Co
The Jerry Zappolo Distinguished Service Award
Captain Steven Smith
DIF
Insurance Investigator of the Year
Jessica Turner,
Direct General Ins.
and Aimee Waters,
GEICO
Insurance Attorney of the Year
Jose Font, Esq.
Vernis & Bowling P.A.
2014
Insurance Investigator of the Year
Vicki Kirby, SMI and Laureen Leary, Allstate
Law Enforcement Investigator of the Year
Billy Brantley, DIF
The Jerry Zappolo Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Don "Rick" Wakefield,
International Healthcare Consultants
Insurance Attorney of the Year
Tammy M. Denbo
Masten, Peterson & Denbo
Law Enforcement Analyst of the Year
Clara Pirez, DIF
Law Enforcement Prosecutor of the Year
Mike Lennon
Hillsborough County SAO
2013
Insurance Investigator of the Year
Michael Stein, Allstate
Law Enforcement Investigator of the Year
Dwight Murphy, DIF
The Jerry Zappolo Distinguished Service Award
Brett Kelley, Kingsway Amigo
Insurance Attorney of the Year
Frank Goldstein
Insurance Analyst of the Year
Sara Solomon, Direct General
Law Enforcement Analyst of the Year
Rebecca Bosco, DIF
Law Enforcement Prosecutor of the Year
Ann Marie Villafana, US Federal Attorney, US District Court, Southern District of Florida
Special Team Award
Sixteen members of the Workers' Compensation Fraud Task Force "Operation Dirty Money" team
2012
Insurance Investigator of the YearJeff Phifer, Allstate Law Enforcement Investigator of the YearRaymond Gonzalez The Jerry Zappolo Distinguished Service AwardScott Dutton Insurance Attorney of the YearCrystal Broughan Insurance Analyst of the YearWendy Sassman, United Auto Law Enforcement Analyst of the YearLori Rodabaugh, DIF Law Enforcement Prosecutor of the YearJuliana Millon, Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office Special Recognition AwardCommissioner Kevin Beckner,Hillsborough County Commission,for his insurance fraud fighting efforts
2011
SIU Investigator: Keith Pearce, State Farm
Law Enforcement: Carl Reschke, DIF
Jerry Zappolo Distinguished Service: Rick Swann, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
2010
SIU Investigator: John Halliday, Sentry
Law Enforcement: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Master Detective Jose Morales
Master Detective Ronnie Cooper
Corporal Anthony Mannarino
Deputy Kevin Patrick O'Brien
Deputy Robert Gogolin
Deputy Mathew Carter
Jerry Zappolo Distinguished Service: Dennis Mensch
2009
SIU Investigator: Beth Rouse, Infinity
Law Enforcement:Carlos Dorta, DIF
Jerry Zappolo Distinguished Service: Anne Erwin, DIF
2008
SIU Investigator: Carol laDuke, Allstate
Law Enforcement: Steven Firestone, DIF
Jerry Zappolo Distinguished Service: William Watson III, State Farm
2007
SIU Investigator: Ed Welch, State Farm
Law Enforcement: Henry “Tommy” Clark, DIF
Outstanding Service: Fred Burkhardt, NICB
2006
SIU Investigator: Blanca Aparicio,UAIG
Law Enforcement: Mike Byrne, DIF
Outstanding Service: Rob Elliott, Nationwide
Report Insurance Fraud HERE
Fighting Insurance Fraud through Education and Commitment.
