Boise woman found guilty of felony insurance fraud
Monday November 20, 2023Contact: Julie Robinson, 208-334-4312
julie.robinson@doi.idaho.gov
BOISE, ID (November 20, 2023) – The Idaho Department of Insurance (DOI) announced today that Alene Bako of Boise, Idaho was sentenced in Ada County for two counts of felony insurance fraud. Ms. Bako pled guilty in August 2023; her sentencing was held October 27, 2023.
Between 2018-2020, the Idaho Department of Insurance received multiple referrals regarding Ms. Bako allegedly committing workers compensation fraud. The DOI began investigating the matter and discovered Bako was providing false information to obtain workers compensation benefits. In one referral, it was discovered Ms. Bako inflicted injuries to herself while at work but claimed she was injured in an accident. In another referral, Ms. Bako said she was the victim of a violent crime while working when in fact she had harmed herself.
Bako had filed over 30 different workers compensation claims over the years, and she admitted that at least several of them were self-inflicted wounds. Bako did this in part, to obtain free healthcare, free prescriptions, and paid time off from work through worker’s compensation benefits.
Bako was sentenced to a suspended sentence of 5 years prison with 2 years fixed. She was placed on 5 years of supervised probation and ordered to serve 30 days in jail. In addition to court costs, Bako must pay a $1,000 fine for each count, as well as $1,174.75 in restitution and $1,460.39 to the DOI.
“Workers Compensation is an important benefit for workers. This type of fraud leads to increased costs to employers which is ultimately passed on to us, the consumers, and harms employees with legitimate claims.” said Dean L. Cameron, Director of the Idaho Department of Insurance. “I am grateful for the DOI investigators and the deputy attorney general prosecutors for their diligent work in this case and holding those who would take advantage of the system accountable.”
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About the Department of Insurance
The Idaho Department of Insurance has been regulating the business of insurance in Idaho since 1901. The mission of the Department is to serve and protect Idahoans by equitably, effectively and efficiently administering the Idaho Insurance Code and the International Fire Code. For more information, please visit us at doi.idaho.gov or email us at consumeraffairs@doi.idaho.gov.