“Dr. Georgia tolls are charged with collecting workers’ compensation premiums from clients

A South Georgia businessman who called his business a tax preparation site for immigrants is now facing multiple charges that he defrauded clients out of thousands of dollars in workers’ compensation insurance premiums.

Emmanuel Torres Cruz, 34, was arrested late last month after a seven-month investigation by the Georgia Board of Workers’ Compensation, the board’s enforcement division said in a news release Monday. Known as Dr. Taxes in Moultrie, Georgia, Torres allegedly misrepresented himself as an insurance agent and certified public accountant, then told clients he had procured workers’ compensation coverage for them.

The investigation “revealed that Cruz stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from victims who were under the impression they had workers’ compensation insurance coverage,” the division said.

Torres was booked into the Colquitt County Jail, charged with 23 counts of insurance fraud and two counts of deceptive practices. He may have posted bond and still not be in custody this week, records show.

BWC investigator Doug Williams said in an email that the board is spreading the word about Torres in hopes of finding other customers who may have been victims of the man’s alleged fraud schemes. Anyone who purchased workers’ compensation insurance from Emmanuel Torres Cruz, d/b/a Dr. Taxes, is asked to contact the Board’s enforcement division at (404) 657-7285 or (800) 533-0682.

TOPICS
Workers Compensation Georgia