Hollywood couple arrested in yearslong insurance fraud scheme

The case depended on making nonconsenting people look like legitimate employees so they could be enrolled in group life insurance plans. Christine Nunzio used business entities under her control, including C&C Construction and Design Group Inc., to create that paper trail, then named herself or her husband as beneficiary on claims tied to policies issued by Mutual of Omaha and Lincoln Financial Group. Once the claims were paid, the money was routed into accounts controlled by the couple.

In the affidavit, one claim tied to a deceased person whose name was redacted paid $100,284.93 and landed in a joint account controlled by the Nunzios. The affidavit also identified claims of $110,000 and $63,700 that were deposited into accounts under the couple’s control, followed by rapid fund transfers. Together, those payouts totaled at least $273,984.93.

A forensic review of Christine Nunzio’s work laptop uncovered life insurance claim forms, payroll spreadsheets, job descriptions and correspondence tied to the scheme. Deleted files and email attachments backed up her role in preparing and submitting the paperwork, while financial records showed prior knowledge of financial trouble, including loan defaults exceeding $145,000.