Car crash scam leads to 14-year prison sentence

FORT MYERS — Nesly Loute, 52, of Naples, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for his role in a PIP auto insurance scam where five unlicensed chiropractic clinics received more than $2 million in ill-gotten payments.

U.S. District Judge Sheri Poster Chappell also ordered Loute to pay $2,146,147.23 in restitution to the victim automobile insurance companies, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office. A federal jury convicted Loute of conspiracy to commit mail fraud Sept. 29.

According to evidence introduced during the six-day trial, Loute conspired with others to operate unlicensed chiropractic clinics and bill automobile insurance companies for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. Members of the conspiracy also paid patients to induce them to seek treatment at the unlicensed clinics, so the automobile insurance companies could be billed for their PIP benefits, authorities contended.