Article - April 9, 2008 - Eagle Tribune

'Runner' posts bail in auto fraud

By Mark E. Vogler

SALEM — A high profile "runner" who investigators say got paid to set up phony accidents and recruit clients for area lawyers and chiropractors who made money off fraudulent auto insurance claims was freed on $2,000 cash bail yesterday.

Leo M. Lopez, 28, of Lawrence, was the first to be arraigned of the seven indicted Friday by a special grand jury initiated by state Attorney General Martha Coakley's office.

Lopez, a former van driver and chiropractic assistant at Kaplan Chiropractic, was charged on 16 counts, including fraud, for allegedly organizing numerous staged accidents in the area.

Also indicted and expected to be arraigned next week are:

• Lawrence attorney Socrates De La Cruz, 34, of Methuen.

• Andover Attorney James C. Hyde, 56, of Boxford.

• North Andover chiropractic clinic operator Michael Kaplan, 46, of Hampstead, N.H. He is the operator of Kaplan Chiropractic at 200 Sutton St. in North Andover.

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