Insurance Fraud Charges Filed Against Sergeant: Sarasota Sheriff

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — A former Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office employee was arrested Friday and charged after an investigation into workers’ compensation fraud, the agency said in a news release.

Neil Wilson had been on administrative leave since Sept. 6 while the Florida Department of Financial Services investigated his suspected fraudulent workers’ compensation claim.

Wilson has worked for the sheriff’s office since January 1998 and was assigned to the agency’s patrol bureau. According to his LinkedIn profile, he earned the rank of sergeant.

His 13-month claim resulted in his a loss of more than $30,000 paid to date with the total amount incurred listed at more than $64,000.

After the investigation, the DFS handed the case over to the state attorney’s office. The state filed one count of workers’ compensation fraud ($20,000 or more, but less than $100,000), a second-degree felony, and requested an order for Wilson’s arrest.

“The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office holds its employees to a high standard of conduct and behavior. The actions demonstrated by Mr. Wilson do not reflect the vision of the agency or its values of integrity, respect, service, and fairness,” the agency said. “As such, the sheriff’s office recognizes the importance of informing the public of our commitment to the community and to ensure we strictly adhere to those values.”