CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces $200,000 Workers’ Comp Premium Fraud Arrest in Fort Myers

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest today of Santos Y. Cardona, owner of YYCS Enterprises, Inc., for workers' compensation fraud. Over the course of a year, Cardona allegedly evaded paying nearly $200,000 in workers’ compensation insurance premiums. The company allegedly conducted more than $1 million in payroll but originally reported $59,000 in payroll on their workers' compensation insurance policy. CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Workers’ compensation fraud is a serious crime that puts injured workers at risk and drives up insurance rates statewide for honest, hard-working businesses. My office is committed to cracking down on fraud. I applaud the great work of our dedicated insurance fraud detectives. I encourage businesses and individuals to report suspected insurance fraud to my website at FraudFreeFlorida.com.” An investigation by CFO Patronis’ Bureau of Insurance Fraud discovered Cardona allegedly concealed payroll information to avoid paying higher workers’ compensation premiums. Based on financial records from a check cashing store in Fort Myers, it was revealed that Cardona cashed over $1 million in payroll checks. Cardona later reported payroll of only $59,000 which is less than what he originally estimated to avoid paying $199,515 in workers’ compensation insurance premiums. Santos Y. Cardona was booked into Lee County Jail on February 5 on charges of Workers’ Compensation Fraud and Scheme to Defraud. If convicted, Cardona faces up to 25 years in prison. Individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty.