BOSTON — A New Bedford couple has been arrested and charged in a large-scale insurance fraud scheme involving their business, BL Insurance Brokerage LLC, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Brendan Lawler, 58, and Lisa Lawler, 45, are facing wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges. Both appeared in federal court in Boston on August 27, where court-appointed attorneys were assigned after the couple submitted financial affidavits. No detention was sought.
According to the criminal complaint, between March 2023 and March 2024, the Lawlers allegedly collected insurance payments from clients but failed to remit those payments to the appropriate insurance companies. Instead, they are accused of using the funds for personal expenses, effectively leaving clients uninsured without their knowledge.
The scheme allegedly affected over 50 individuals or insurance providers, with total losses estimated at more than $700,000.
In an attempt to keep the fraud hidden and their company operational, the Lawlers are accused of using new client payments to cover old balances owed to other insurers and of issuing fraudulent documents that falsely indicated clients had active insurance policies.
BL Insurance Brokerage moved from 4417 Acushnet Ave. in New Bedford to 270 Huttleston Ave. in Fairhaven in 2023. The Massachusetts Division of Insurance revoked the company’s license in March 2024, citing a failure to remit premiums and untrustworthy business practices. The company was also ordered to cease and desist from selling insurance.
If convicted, both Brendan and Lisa Lawler face up to 20 years in prison for each count, along with three years of supervised release and fines up to $250,000, or twice the financial loss caused.
The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and FBI Boston Special Agent Ted E. Docks. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Cleary, with investigative support from the Massachusetts Division of Insurance and the Insurance Fraud Bureau.
Authorities emphasized that all charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
