Mark Cerny and Karen Johnson Receive Coveted Industry Awards
SAN DIEGO (Oct. 15, 2025) – The International Association of Special Investigations Units (IASIU) recently honored two members of ICW Group’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for their achievements in fighting insurance fraud and outstanding investigative services to the industry. ICW Group awardees include Mark Cerny, SIU Analytics Specialist, who received the Analyst of the Year Award, and Karen Johnson, Senior SIU Investigator, who received the Outstanding Service Award.
Mark’s analytical work on multiple large-scale medical fraud cases led to the defeat of over $40 million in suspected medical billing fraud and earned him this coveted award. Mark’s work was central to the legal strategy that ultimately brought these cases to resolution, and his expert tactical analysis resulted in a data-driven approach to challenge medical fraud. Mark’s work also elevated ICW Group’s SIU capabilities, sending a strong message to those exploiting the system that fraud will not go unnoticed.
“Mark’s data-driven insights and cross-functional collaboration led to the identification and mitigation of a significant amount of potential fraud,” said Michelle Green, Head of Claims, Shared Services, ICW Group. “This is an incredible achievement that reflects Mark’s dedication, expertise, and impact. We’re so proud to have Mark on our team.”
Karen was recognized for her impact on the fight against Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit voucher fraud in California. Through her investigative expertise, she developed a review process at ICW Group that has helped prevent more than $1 million in potentially fraudulent claims, protecting both company resources and injured workers’ access to rightful benefits. Beyond her casework, Karen has become a leading educator and advocate in the field, committed to training SIU teams, stakeholders, and industry partners statewide, and sharing her knowledge at major industry forums.
“Karen’s meticulous fraud investigation and unwavering persistence make her a well-deserved recipient of the Outstanding Service Award,” said Green. “Her work not only strengthened fraud prevention protocols across the state of California but also reinforced her commitment to protecting the integrity of benefits for injured workers who rely on them. We’re proud to celebrate her impact and dedication.”
Mark and Karen were recognized for their achievements and contributions to the fight against fraud at the annual IASIU Conference. ICW Group was privileged to have multiple team members recognized during this prestigious event. Winners were selected based on the impact of their investigation within their company’s special investigation unit, across their organization, and throughout the insurance industry. Consideration was also given to the broader community benefits and the outstanding characteristics that distinguished each nominee.
