La. Attorney on the Wrong Side of the Law; Arrested for Forgery, Insurance Fraud

Louisiana State Police Investigators recently arrested 30-year-old attorney, Douglas C. Dorhauer and charged him with 4 counts of Forgery and 1 count of Insurance Fraud. Dorhauer is employed by the E. Eric Guirard Law Firm in Baton Rouge.

Acting on information received from Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance Co., State Police reportedly determined that Dorhauer filed a false insurance claim by using altered medical records to support the claim. In April 2004, Dorhauer’s represented a family of four that were injured in an automobile accident. The driver of the vehicle was not at fault in the accident and the case was settled by Imperial Insurance Co.,

During settlement discussions with Imperial, the driver represented by Dorhauer reportedly expressed a desire to collect something for aggravation and mental stress suffered from a previous motor vehicle accident.

Dorhauer reportedly devised a way for the client to receive payment from the previously settled accident. Authorities said he changed the date on the medical records of the driver and two of the occupants in the April 2004 accident to March 2004. He then sent the altered records to Farm Bureau indicating that the claimants’ injuries resulted from the March 2004 accident.

The March 2004 accident was settled in July 2004 by Farm Bureau and listed as a property damage claim. Upon receiving a settlement letter from Dorhauer asking for injury compensation, representatives at Farm Bureau questioned the authenticity of the medical records and Dorhauer reportedly withdrew the claim. Farm Bureau then advised State Police Investigators of their suspicion that Dorhauer was trying to file a false claim using altered documentation.

An investigation was conducted and warrant obtained for the arrest of Dorhauer. Dorhauer surrendered to investigators at LSP Headquarters and was charged with LRS 14:72 Forgery (Felony, 4 counts) and LRS 22:1243 Insurance Fraud (Felony). Dorhauer was booked in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.