Calif. Inmate Wins Disability Case

Doglips · 02-18-2003, 04:34 PM

Calif. Inmate Wins Disability Case
Beverly Hills Lawyer Serving Time for Yacht Scam Wins Disability Case Against Two Insurance Firms

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES Feb. 15 —
A Beverly Hills lawyer doing time for sinking his yacht to collect the insurance money won a judgment against two insurance companies that canceled his monthly disability payments because they suspected him of committing fraud.

Rex K. DeGeorge, 66, was awarded a $371,000 judgment against Equitable Life Assurance Society and the Paul Revere Life Insurance Co.

"This is the first fair trial I've had in federal court," DeGeorge said after jurors returned their verdict Friday.

The companies stopped paying DeGeorge his $8,200-a-month disability payments in 1999, saying he faked his ailments and continued to work as a lawyer. DeGeorge filed the claims in 1990, saying he was disabled because of a heart condition and brain damage caused by an auto accident.

The jury also found DeGeorge remains disabled, forcing Equitable to continue paying him $4,700 a month for the rest of his life. Paul Revere's coverage ended when DeGeorge turned 65.

Equitable and Paul Revere have not decided whether to appeal, said Thomas B. Ackland, a lawyer representing the companies.

DeGeorge was sentenced last year to 7 1/2 years in federal prison for sinking his 76-foot yacht off the Italian coast to collect on his $3.5 million insurance policy, which prosecutors said was inflated through a series of phony sales transactions. He is appealing his conviction.

Court records show DeGeorge filed claims for three other yachts that disappeared or sank under mysterious circumstances.

Any award DeGeorge might receive must be put toward the $2.8 million he must pay in restitution as part of his sentence.

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

02-18-2003, 04:34 PM	#1
Doglips Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cocoa Florida Posts: 9,088	Calif. Inmate Wins Disability Case Calif. Inmate Wins Disability Case Beverly Hills Lawyer Serving Time for Yacht Scam Wins Disability Case Against Two Insurance Firms The Associated Press LOS ANGELES Feb. 15 — A Beverly Hills lawyer doing time for sinking his yacht to collect the insurance money won a judgment against two insurance companies that canceled his monthly disability payments because they suspected him of committing fraud. Rex K. DeGeorge, 66, was awarded a $371,000 judgment against Equitable Life Assurance Society and the Paul Revere Life Insurance Co. "This is the first fair trial I've had in federal court," DeGeorge said after jurors returned their verdict Friday. The companies stopped paying DeGeorge his $8,200-a-month disability payments in 1999, saying he faked his ailments and continued to work as a lawyer. DeGeorge filed the claims in 1990, saying he was disabled because of a heart condition and brain damage caused by an auto accident. The jury also found DeGeorge remains disabled, forcing Equitable to continue paying him $4,700 a month for the rest of his life. Paul Revere's coverage ended when DeGeorge turned 65. Equitable and Paul Revere have not decided whether to appeal, said Thomas B. Ackland, a lawyer representing the companies. DeGeorge was sentenced last year to 7 1/2 years in federal prison for sinking his 76-foot yacht off the Italian coast to collect on his $3.5 million insurance policy, which prosecutors said was inflated through a series of phony sales transactions. He is appealing his conviction. Court records show DeGeorge filed claims for three other yachts that disappeared or sank under mysterious circumstances. Any award DeGeorge might receive must be put toward the $2.8 million he must pay in restitution as part of his sentence. Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.