Thursday, April 23, 2015

ALTHA, FLORIDA WOMAN ARRESTED FOR FORGERY, INSURANCE FRAUD WHEN SHE PROVIDED AN INVALID INSURANCE CERTIFICATE




THURSDAY, APRIL 23. 2015

A Calhoun County woman was arrested Thursday, accused of workers’ compensation fraud and forgery.

Holly N. Nichols of Altha has been charged in the case.

Nichols and her husband own J & N Construction. According to the arrest affidavit, the company was a subcontractor on a job at Mosley High School in Bay County during the summer of 2014. Upon receiving the job, Holly Nichols reportedly provided a Certificate of Insurance to the contractor as proof of workers’ compensation coverage.

However, upon investigation, it was learned the certificate was invalid. The certificate faxed to the contractor by Holly Nichols stated the coverage was good through Dec. 13, 2014, but the insurance provider confirmed for authorities the policy had been cancelled by Holly Nichols on Jan. 14, 2013. On the cancellation request form, Holly Nichols stated the reason for the cancellation as “not needed.”

During an interview with an investigator from the Division of Insurance Fraud, Holly Nichols reportedly stated she had faxed the insurance documents to the contractor and confirmed receipt. A warrant was then issued for her arrest.