NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WJAR) — United States Attorney Leah Foley said that a New Bedford couple was charged for allegedly taking part in a scheme to defraud clients of their business, BL Insurance Brokerage, LLC, of over $750,000.

58-year-old Brendan Lawler and 45-year-old Lisa Lawler were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Foley said that the couple were accused of soliciting and collecting insurance payments from clients that were meant to be paid to insurance providers but were instead kept by the couple.

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The couple then allegedly concealed the fraud by using the funds to pay outstanding balances while distributing fake insurance documents that said the clients were insured when they were not.

The scheme allegedly took place between March 2023 and March 2024.