WASHINGTON, D.C. – Michelle Shropshire, a 55-year-old train operator for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for her role in a multi-year scheme to defraud the AFLAC insurance company of over $360,000. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras handed down the sentence, which also includes three years of supervised release and a restitution payment of $362,035.14 to AFLAC, as announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Shropshire orchestrated a fraudulent scheme alongside several WMATA coworkers, fabricating medical records and forging doctors’ signatures to support false disability claims to AFLAC. According to court documents, she collected kickbacks from her co-conspirators, who were also submitting fraudulent claims, amounting to about 20 percent of the insurance payouts. Throughout the duration of the scheme, Shropshire and her accomplices continued to receive their regular paychecks from WMATA while falsely claiming to be disabled.
U.S. Attorney Pirro emphasized the significance of prosecuting health care fraud, stating, “Health care fraud steals from every honest policyholder who pays their premiums.” The fraudulent activities have not only impacted the insurance company but also the trust of policyholders across the D.C. area. Shropshire’s actions have drawn attention to the risks of fraud within public sector organizations like WMATA, which serves communities across various neighborhoods and wards in the District.
Shropshire’s co-defendant, Harlisha Jones, has pleaded guilty to similar charges and is set to be sentenced on August 6, 2026. In total, six other WMATA employees have also admitted guilt in connection to the investigation. The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities, including the FBI and the WMATA Office of Inspector General, to combat fraud in public services.
This investigation is part of a broader initiative by the Department of Justice to address fraudulent activities that impact taxpayer dollars, in line with President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. As the D.C. community remains vigilant against such fraud, officials reaffirm their commitment to prosecuting those who exploit the system at the expense of honest citizens.
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