5 Men Indicted in $100 Million Workers' Compensation Scam

By Ashley Van Leuven

Published on April 23, 2007

Jerry Brewer, of Capistrano Beach, California; Donald Touchet, of El Cajon, California; Richard Standridge, of Tempe, Arizona; Robert Jennings, of Danville, Illinois; and Joshua Poole, of Atlanta, Georgia, allegedly sold illegal workers' compensation insurance to companies nationwide from 2001 to 2004, leaving hundreds of employees without workers' compensation insurance coverage.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said five families were left without death benefits after fatal accidents; another woman was forced to live in her car to pay medical bills.

Brewer, currently living in England, is said to be the ring leader of the group. If convicted, he faces up to 275 years in prison and a fine of $8.9 million.

If convicted, Touchet faces up to 215 years in prison and a fine of $7.9 million; Standridge faces up to 100 years and a fine of $1.25 million; Jennings faces up to 165 years and a fine of $2.2 million; and Poole faces up to 100 years and a fine of $2.5 million.

Last Thursday, all the men, except Brewer, were placed under arrest. Authorities hope to arrest Brewer and bring him back to the U.S.

The men are set to appear in federal court in Jacksonville on May 4.

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