The family that commits fraud together pleads guilty together. That's the case for Homer Cedillo, Jr., his mother, two aunts, and three cousins.
Cedillo, 42, a former Hidalgo County district court probation officer, and his family members have admitted to claiming false injuries to defraud an insurance company.
Cedillo and his relatives were seven of 36 people charged with conspiracy and wire fraud as part of “Operation Sitting Duck,” a federal investigation that uncovered more than $3 million in false injury claims sent to American Family Life Assurance Company (Aflac).
All but one of the 36 have pleaded guilty to the charges, however, prosecutors did drop the more severe conspiracy charge in exchange for the guilty pleas to wire fraud from Cedillo and his relatives.
Cedillo's relatives are Edinburg resident Mary Cedillo, 65, and McAllen residents Martha Ortega, 58; Yolanda Segovia, 55; Candida Chavez, 35; Lori Chavez, 29, and Anissa Chavez, 31.
The family members were under Aflac's Accident Only Supplemental Insurance Plan during various spans between 2005 and 2010.
During that time they would deliver lists of fake accidents and injuries to two Rynosa doctors who signed off on accident reports sent to Aflac. The doctors would charge about $15 per accident report; each claim would net only about $100.
Sentencing for Cedillo and his family is set for Feb. 21. Each faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
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