JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A Florida deputy has been charged with grand theft after authorities say he tried to collect benefits after his wife's death even though they were divorced.
St. Johns County Sheriff's Deputy Shane Tolerico, 43, turned himself in Thursday. He is charged with defrauding St. Johns County of over $60,000 in insurance claims.
According to the indictment, the investigation began a month ago. Authorities said that after reviewing the documents, they discovered Tolerico had been divorced since July 2013. They allege he also falsified documents to receive health benefits that saved him about $14,000.
The insurance provider told investigators they had recently been billed an additional $600,000 in the case. Authorities said those payments were suspended.
Tolerico was booked into the county jail. It's unclear if he had obtained an attorney to comment on the charges.
