A Florida life insurance agent and her husband are accused of using their construction company in a scheme that made nonemployees appear eligible for group life insurance before death claims generated nearly $382,000.
Christine Ann Nunzio, 56, and Phillip Salvatore Nunzio Jr., 59, of Hollywood, are accused of obtaining $381,849, according to the Florida Department of Financial Services.
State investigators say false census records, employment information, insurance enrollments and claim documents were submitted during the operation. Some of the supposed workers were relatives or other nonemployees, including Christine Nunzio’s father-in-law, who investigators say had no previous employment history with the company.
Four deceased individuals were ultimately tied to the disputed claims, according to the state. The Nunzios now face felony charges stemming from the yearslong investigation.
Investigators Say Fake Jobs Created Access to Group Life Insurance
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia Announces Arrests of Life Insurance Agent and Her Husband After a Nearly $382,000 Insurance Fraud Scheme
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— FL DFS (@FLDFS) August 20, 2026
The conduct described by investigators stretched from at least 2017 through 2023 and centered on group life insurance coverage tied to employment.
Local 10 reported from a complaint affidavit that Christine Nunzio used businesses under her control, including C&C Construction and Design Group Inc., to create the appearance that certain people legitimately worked for the businesses.
Authorities allege some of those people were enrolled in coverage without their knowledge or consent. The policies examined during the investigation were primarily issued through Mutual of Omaha and Lincoln Financial Group.
The Beneficiary Designations Put the Couple in Position to Collect
The complaint affidavit says Christine Nunzio designated either herself or her husband as beneficiary on policies connected to the purported employees. When insured individuals later died, investigators say proceeds were directed into accounts controlled by Christine Nunzio or the couple.
The affidavit alleges that the paperwork supporting the operation extended beyond employment records to beneficiary designations and claim forms, allowing investigators to trace the process from enrollment through payment.
Investigators Traced Three Large Claim Payments
One claim involving an individual whose identity was redacted resulted in a payment of $100,284.93 into a joint account controlled by the Nunzios, according to the affidavit. Investigators identified two other payouts of $110,000 and $63,700 that were also deposited into accounts controlled by the couple.
Authorities said the deposits were followed by extensive and rapid movement of funds between accounts. Those three publicly detailed payments do not represent every dollar included in the state’s overall case.
A forensic examination of Christine Nunzio’s work laptop uncovered material investigators say connected her directly to the documents under review. The files included payroll spreadsheets, job descriptions, life insurance claim forms and correspondence concerning the policies.
Investigators also recovered deleted files and email attachments they say demonstrated her role in preparing and submitting documentation. Separately, financial records showed loan defaults exceeding $145,000, according to the affidavit.
Both Face Multiple Felony Charges
The Florida Department of Financial Services says Christine and Phillip Nunzio were arrested June 26. Both are charged with organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, insurance fraud, violation of the Florida Money Laundering Act and criminal use of a deceased person’s identifying information.
Earlier jail records reviewed by Local 10 listed more than 20 counts against each defendant and included racketeering-related charges. The state’s Aug. 20 announcement did not provide a complete count-by-count comparison with those earlier jail records.
Group Life Insurance Should Be Checked Against Real Employment Records
Employers and insurers can compare group insurance census information against tax records, payroll, hire dates and other independent employment documentation rather than relying on a single spreadsheet or enrollment submission. Beneficiary changes involving an owner, executive or insurance agent connected to the employer can also warrant additional review when the circumstances are unusual.
Employees should question insurance notices for coverage they never requested or policies tied to businesses they do not work for. Contact the insurer directly using independently verified information rather than relying on paperwork supplied by the person who arranged the coverage.
The Florida Department of Financial Services specifically identifies fake death claims, falsified beneficiary claims and forged documents used to obtain insurance coverage or money as forms of insurance fraud. Suspected insurance fraud in Florida can be reported to the department’s Criminal Investigations Division.