Fake slip and fall at Brevard Publix caught on video

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - Two women are facing charges after they staged a slip and fall and then tried to sue Publix, investigators say.

Video from the Brevard County store plainly shows one of the women not falling, but easing herself onto the floor.

There have been other similar incidents. Authorities say six people have been arrested following fake slip and falls at other Brevard stores and gas stations in recent months.

In this latest case, one of the two women tried to sue Publix for $300,000. The second woman is charged as an accomplice. Investigators from the state Division of Insurance Fraud identified the women as Johnella Howard, 72, and Susan Snow, 68.

The video shows Howard slowly getting down on her hands and knees. She then adjusts her hair before lying down. Snow, who is her caregiver, then pushes her shopping cart away to look for help.

Rescue crews eventually take Howard away.

Several weeks later, the pair faxed a letter to Publix demanding $300,000, according to records.

"They're nuts. I don't know how they can get away with it, unless they can really prove it they fell," neighbor Tina Margadonna told Orlando station WFTV.

The alleged stunt could mean up to 35 years in prison for the pair.

Source: wftv.com