INSURANCE

Health Insurance Firm Owner Arrested: Janice Louise Goebel, one of the owners of a Simi Valley health insurance firm that is suspected of having defrauded more than 3,000 policyholders of more than $2.5 million, was arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy and five counts of criminal contempt. Her husband, Leo Patrick Goebel, another owner of the company called Physicians Choice Plan, is still at large. Department of Insurance officials said the couple sold small employers health plans that they falsely claimed were underwritten by legitimate insurance companies. The couple continued to sell insurance in violation of a 1991 cease and desist order and a 1992 temporary restraining order. The company also operated as Golden State Preferred Trust, Physicians Benefit Plan, Unified Benefit Plan and United Benefit Plan.