MAY 13, 2015
Following an investigation into a complaint received from
the Shreveport City Attorney’s Office, the Louisiana State Police Insurance
Fraud and Auto Theft Unit charged a firefighter with insurance fraud.
Michael Keel of Keithville, a firefighter with the
Shreveport Fire Department, was arrested and placed into custody, the LSP said.
The investigation began in July 2013 after LSP Investigators
received information that Keel fraudulently registered his ex-wife and former
step-children for medical benefits from the City of Shreveport to which they
were not entitled to.
Troopers’ investigation revealed that from November of 2010
through May of 2013, the City of Shreveport’s contributions for insurance
premiums for family/dependent coverage and medical/dental claims, not including
employee Michael Keel, totaled over $85,000.
LSP Investigators concluded that Keel intentionally
defrauded the medical benefits program and the City of Shreveport bore no legal
responsibility to the fraudulently acquired claims.
On May 7, 2015, Keel surrendered to LSP Insurance Fraud
Troopers at the Caddo Parish Correctional Center and was booked without
incident.
Source: Louisiana State Police Insurance