There were major developments in the Branch Consultants Whistleblower case (alleging multiple carriers and adjusting firms defrauded the government out of funds by transferring wind damage to the flood coverage). The case involved the False Claims Act.

Today the judge dismissed the case and you'll be amazed it takes you back to the Rigsby/Renfroe/State Farm case as part of the reason for today's dismissal.

Another interesting thing in today's news is the fact one of  the  articles tonight  finally names 1 of the 4 adjusters whose names had been withheld in the case but Branch's attorney Kanner named his key adjuster in a quote by a LA news reporter. There are many documents and stories on the case. I 've summarized them all in one blog along with the 2 articles thus far located tonight on the breaking news. I hope to have the dismissal court document tomorrow and will add that to the blog. You'll find the key adjuster named in the article and the adjusting firm and carriers named in the blog here which I'm sure would interest CADO participating adjusting firm managers and owners who are concerned about who these anonymous adjusters were so they aren't on their rosters:

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/branch-consultants-vs-multiple-insurers-whistleblower-case-thrown-out-by-judge-today/

I thought there had been a former forum topic on CADO on this case but couldn't locate it tonight.

I believe this was dealt with tangentially in the thread about the proposed Federal Wind Policy. The allegations that are the basis of this suit were one of the reasons given for including wind coverage with the National Flood Insurance Policy. The odd logic went something like this: Carriers are identifying some wind damage as flood damage. Therefore, the Federal government is being charged more than they should be for flood damage claims. Because of this wind coverage should also be provided through a government program so the taxpaying citizens of the United States can foot the entire bill. It only makes sense if you enter the dimensional rift into the twilight zone that exists inside the beltway. In that zone the only true existential question is: "How do I get re-elected?"