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TALLAHASSEE - Attorney General Charlie Crist today announced the sentencing of five South Florida residents who previously pled guilty to racketeering charges. The charges stem from multiple counts of insurance fraud, exploitation of the elderly and grand theft, as well as witness tampering and money laundering. Brian Lee Shechtman, the head of the enterprise, and four other individuals were ordered to pay more than $1.5 million in restitution to affected consumers.

Shechtman, 38, of Hollywood, schemed with his cousins Dean Allen Shechtman, 37, of Aventura, and Brad Howard Shechtman, 34, of Miramar, to systematically defraud hundreds of South Florida seniors between the ages of 75 and 94. Dean and Brad Shechtman targeted elderly victims, convincing them to switch their health insurance to low-cost policies. The Shectmans then over billed the victims and applied the surplus money to additional life insurance policies without the victims' knowledge. Using the identities and licenses of other agents they recruited, the Shechtmans netted more than $2 million in commissions. Dean Shechtman was not licensed to sell whole life policies, while Brad Shechtman’s license was permanently revoked in 1992 for felony grand theft and financial exploitation of the elderly.

"Insurance is designed to provide security, but that security was shattered by callous crooks," said Crist. "We will continue to protect our citizens, particularly Florida’s seniors, from this kind of egregious scam."

The case was prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution. To qualify for restitution, victims who were sold a life insurance policy by any of the agents - Dean Shechtman, Mark Mittleman, Jay Goldman, Gregory O'Connor, Camille Martinez, Rosemary Allen or Rosemary Welstead - should contact the Office of Statewide Prosecution in Fort Myers at (239) 338-2440 by November 4, 2005. Policies must have been sold on or after October 1, 1998.

Brian Shechtman pled guilty in March to the racketeering charges, and was sentenced today to 10 years in state prison, of which seven-and-a-half years will be suspended, to be followed by 12.5 years probation. Shechtman owned Elder Care Insurance Agency of Surfside and Golden Senior Benefits of Miramar, two of the agencies used in the scheme to defraud. The cousins, Dean and Brad Shechtman, both pled guilty last year and were sentenced to one year in county jail followed by 10 years probation.

Two other individuals were also sentenced for their involvement in the scheme. Rosemary Welstead, 62, of Ft. Lauderdale, pled guilty in July for her role in facilitating the scheme. Welstead, who served as office manager and secretary, received a nine-year prison term, which will be suspended. She will serve one year of community control, followed by nine years state probation.

Camille Martinez Shechtman, 31, of Miramar, who is married to Brad Shechtman, was one of the agents also charged in the case. She pled guilty last year and was sentenced to eight years in state prison, which will be suspended, and 10 years of probation. Other agents in the case - Gregory O'Connor, Mark Mittleman and Jay Goldman - have all cooperated with investigators and have had their licenses revoked.