Great Lakes Wire

Dr. Rainna Furnari Brazil, a 57-year-old physician from Sylvan Lake, has pled guilty to eight felony counts related to insurance fraud in the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County. The charges are linked to a fraudulent disability insurance claim and subsequent receipt of payments while continuing her work as a physician. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the plea.

Brazil received over $400,000 in disability insurance payments from Unum Life Insurance Company of America between 2017 and 2021, despite being employed as a physician during that period. She repeatedly misled the insurance company about her employment status.

The case was referred by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Fraud Investigation Unit to the Attorney General's office.

Brazil admitted guilt to three counts of False Pretenses – $100,000 or More; two counts of False Pretenses – $20,000 or More But Less Than $50,000; two counts of Taxes – Failure to File; and one count of Insurance Fraud. These felonies carry potential sentences ranging from four years up to 20 years and fines between $5,000 and $50,000.

As part of her plea agreement, Brazil agreed to pay restitution totaling $458,962—$424,120 for Unum and $34,842 for Treasury. She has already paid $50,000 towards this amount at the time of her plea.

If Brazil pays an additional $100,000 during an 11-month delayed sentence period—bringing her total payment to $150,000—she will be sentenced on reduced charges with no more than one year in jail. If she pays all remaining restitution within this period, further reductions apply with sentencing guidelines set between zero and 17 months. However, failure to meet these conditions will result in sentencing on all charges.

Attorney General Nessel praised DIFS for their role in identifying the fraud: "I commend the Department of Insurance and Financial Services for their diligence in identifying this insurance fraud case and referring it to my office,” she said. “Fraudulent activities can harm legitimate claimants."

DIFS Director Anita Fox also emphasized their commitment: “DIFS is committed protecting consumers from insurance fraud,” she stated. "Insurance fraud raises costs for all Michiganders."

The DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit works alongside law enforcement agencies like the Attorney General's office to address criminal activities related to insurance markets. They encourage reporting suspected fraud through their hotline or website.

Dr. Brazil is scheduled for sentencing on November 25 before Judge David M. Cohen at Oakland County's 6th Circuit Court.