The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) has issued a compliance order against registered psychologist Romeo Vitelli, prohibiting him from conducting examinations, assessments, or treatment plans under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) for 18 months.
Vitelli faces enforcement action after he admitted to submitting 13 reports to insurers containing inaccuracies, including quotations about symptoms that he falsely attributed to claimants. He also submitted a treatment plan that falsely indicated a claimant’s employment status before an accident, according to FSRA.
The falsified reports were submitted between November 2017 and October 2018. As a registered psychologist, Vitelli had been performing assessments and examinations on behalf of several licensed health service providers under SABS.
Insurers Aviva Canada, Desjardins, and Intact later approached FSRA with misconduct allegations.
According to FSRA, Vitelli’s actions contravened section 447(2)(a.3) of the Insurance Act. He was also found to have committed an “unfair or deceptive practice” under to section 1 of Ontario Regulation 7/00.
FSRA’s compliance order was issued following a settlement with Vitelli. As part of this settlement, he agreed to pay an administrative penalty of $15,000.
“FSRA is committed to protecting claimants and ensuring public confidence in the auto insurance sector,” said Elissa Sinha, FSRA’s director of litigation and enforcement. “Healthcare service providers that treat car accident victims must ensure that the information they submit to insurers is accurate to maintain the integrity of the system.”
Vitelli is registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, although he has been serving a nine-month suspension since April 25, 2023.
In September, FSRA issued a revoked the insurance agent licence of Liset Jimenez Rodriguez due to her involvement in fraudulent practices. In one instance, she was found to have engaged in “fronting” by allowing an unlicensed individual to sell life insurance policies using her name and credentials.
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