Six people, including extended family members, are accused of operating a construction fraud ring that used 10 shell companies to conceal payroll, avoid workers’ compensation insurance premiums and operate unlicensed check-cashing businesses in South Florida.

Investigation Details

The operation was handled jointly by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Broward Sheriff’s Office Money Laundering Task Force. The complaint claims Marlen Suazo Gutierrez and several associates processed $95,664,451 in payroll checks during 2025, using workers’ compensation certificates obtained through allegedly fraudulent insurance applications and then renting those certificates to uninsured contractors.

The proceeds were funneled through bank accounts, check-cashing businesses and an alleged unlicensed money service operation at 2601 S. Military Trail before being distributed in cash to laborers. The location was in a strip mall that included Presidente Supermarket.

Arrests and Charges

Also arrested were Gustavo Lara Suazo, Blanca Cecilia Ramirez Farina, Alejandra Celeste Lagos Matute, Erick Eduardo Blandon, and Eduardo Leal Olivera. The charges include organized scheme to defraud, workers’ comp fraud, and unlicensed money laundering service.

The 10 shell companies listed are JNJ Construction Services Inc., MDA Concrete Inc., JVC Interior Designs Inc., JYK Construction Concrete Inc., ACE Concrete & Pavers Inc., DMF Construction Services Inc., EVB Construction Services Inc., Wold Construction Services Inc., RPN Concrete Inc, and JLVE Roofing Company Inc.

Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.