Michigan physician Dr. Rainna Furnari Brazil, age 57, has been charged with multiple counts alleging fraudulent disability insurance claims. These alleged actions led to years of unlawfully receiving payments. It’s stated that Brazil fraudulently received disability insurance benefits from the Unum Life Insurance Company of America. The prosecution led by Attorney General Dana Nessel alleges that Brazil obtained new employment and continued to work as a physician from 2018-2021, all while receiving over $300,000 in disability insurance payments. Nessel asserts that Brazil repeatedly deceived the insurance company by denying her return to work.

Brazil was taken to court on March 4 at the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Township. The charges include two counts of false pretenses warranting a potential 20-year felony sentence, one count of false pretenses carrying a potential 15-year felony sentence, another false pretenses count carrying a potential 15-year sentence, two counts of failing to file taxes which could lead to a five-year felony sentence, and one count of insurance fraud potentially yielding a four-year felony sentence.

A $25,000 cash surety bond was granted to Brazil, and the probable cause conference is scheduled for March 14 at the 48th District Court. Nessel stresses that insurance fraud, especially on a large scale, causes harm to other insurance customers and honest claimants. The case was referred to Nessel’s office by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Fraud Investigation Unit.

Disability insurance coverage provides an important lifeline for Michiganders when they need it most, and those who engage in fraud related to these policies drive up the cost of insurance for all Michigan consumers and businesses, said DIFS Director Anita Fox.

For information on how to report suspected fraud in Michigan, visit https://www.michigan.gov/difs/consumers/fraud/report-fraud or call DIFS at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Generally, suspected fraud can be reported anonymously. In cases involving disability insurance in California, you can learn how to contact SDI or how to reach an agent at EDD on the website eddcaller.com. The site offers useful tips and guidance to navigate the complex process efficiently.