Tacoma couple sentenced in insurance-fraud case

A Tacoma couple who filed a falsified insurance claim, including a forged receipt for a 57-inch TV allegedly purchased from a stranger for $5,800 in cash, have been sentenced.

They also claimed that burglars had stolen a $3,000 Persian rug they'd purchased from their next-door neighbor. When investigators from the state insurance commissioner's Special Investigations Unit questioned the neighbor, he said he'd never sold them a Persian rug, and that the couple was looking for someone to pretend to be the seller so they could collect money from their insurance company.

The couple, Melissa and Anthony Mezias, brought $8,800 in restitution to their sentencing hearing in Pierce County Superior Court on Monday.

In addition to full restitution, Anthony Mezias will have to pay more than $1,000 in court fees and costs on one charge of first-degree theft. Melissa Mezias will pay $700 in fees and costs on one count of attempted false claims in an insurance case. 

$455 million Farmers settlement: Payments to up to 13 million policyholders

Zurich Financial Services Group said this morning that it and Farmers Group -- which it owns -- have "agreed in principle" to a $455 million settlement of a national class action lawsuit filed in California.

The settlement will affect up to 13 million people.

Here's a copy of Zurich's press release.

We're not sure yet how many of those 13 million people are in Washington state, although we're trying to find out. The settlement payments "may vary considerably," the company says, but will average $35 per policyholder.

What was the lawsuit about? Here's Zurich's summary:

In the lawsuit, the plaintiff challenged the management services fees paid by the Farmers Exchanges (Exchanges) to FGI and certain of its affiliates, which under policyholder subscription agreements act as the attorney-in-fact for policyholder subscribers of the Exchanges.

After our approval, policyholders entitled to participate in the settlement will be mailed notification, with more details. Customers can also contact Farmers regarding the settlement at 1-888-538-5785.

(Note: And thanks to the eagle-eyed reader -- and you know who you are -- who noted that "our" was misspelled "ourt" in the last paragraph. Fixed.)

GHLI Student Internship: Kigali, Rwanda

Rwanda has made an impressive recovery in the 16 years since the genocide that continues to shape its history. The country excels in education, innovation and is considered to be one of the pearls of East Africa. The government has recently focused on improving health care and health care delivery systems in this densely populated nation. I spent my summer working directly with the Ministry of Health and the National University of Rwanda’s School of Public Health and Faculty of Medicine to build a clinician exchange and education program and a Masters in Healthcare Administration. My internship, born of a partnership between Yale’s Global Health Leadership Institute and the Rwandan government.

Kalina Duncan , GHLI Student Intern

MRI: Why an Image is Everything to our community

By Rik Ganderton,
President and CEO


Durham Region has one of the fastest growing populations in Canada, with approximately 600,000 residents and a forecast population of around one million people by 2031 (1).

Population growth also means growth within the dependent demographics of our communities. We have already seen a rise in acute care patients who need a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan, now considered a basic tool that every hospital needs in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and many other diseases and health conditions.

Thankfully, there has also been significant growth in the application of MRI technology to solve clinical problems, and as an emergency tool that can make the difference between life and death.

Currently, the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital does not have an MRI. By including an MRI in our new and expanded diagnostic imaging centre, patients who currently are on a long waiting list will be able to stay close to home.

Patients will also receive the gold standard in care from the new MRI, which offers state-of-the-art technology, producing detailed, clear images of the body with no side effects.

We are dedicated to bringing an MRI to the residents of Ajax, Pickering and Whitby through the Image is Everything Campaign, by the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation. Through campaign events, third-party fundraising and a long list of generous partnerships, we have made great progress towards that goal. However, we still need your help.

The community has supported us since our hospital was built in 1954, and we hope you will continue to support us in bringing this modern, state-of-the-art diagnostic technology closer your family, friends and neighbours in west Durham.

So please put yourself in the picture. You can help bring an MRI to your local community hospital by contacting the Foundation at 905-683-2320 x1501.

(1. Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration)