60 Charged in Fall Insurance Fraud Sweep

Home , Allstate (automobile), Vehicle insurance

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October 2018

October 2017. On November 13, Harper allegedly filed a claim indicating that 18 items were stolen from his vehicle. Harper • On October 9, 2018, allegedly provided Mark Folino was Allstate with fraudulent arrested in Lawrence receipts for mink coats County. According to and jackets the criminal complaint, purportedly valued at on March 13, 2018, at more than $43,000. approximately 12:49 Investigators spoke to the owner of the men’s PM, Folino rear-ended a store listed on the receipts. The owner State Farm insured allegedly advised that his store did not issue vehicle which was the receipts and did not sell coats at such high- attempting to make a end prices. Allstate denied the claim. Harper left hand turn into a was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud driveway. The complaint stated that when the (F3), one count of Theft by Deception (F3), one accident occurred, Folino was listed as an count of Forgery (F3) and one count of excluded driver on the Progressive Criminal Use of a Communication Facility (F3). Insurance vehicle policy shared by Folino and

his wife. Approximately one hour after the • On October 25, 2018, accident, Folino’s wife allegedly added him to Kennesha Watson the policy as a covered driver. Folino allegedly was arrested in contacted Progressive later that day and filed Montgomery County. a claim for the accident, stating that the crash According to the occurred after he was added to the policy as a criminal complaint, on covered driver. However, the complaint stated September 20, 2017, that investigators reviewed the Pennsylvania Watson’s uninsured State Police incident report which confirmed vehicle was involved that the loss occurred prior to the policy in an accident. On the change. Folino was charged with one count of following day, Watson Insurance Fraud (F3) and one count of Criminal allegedly obtained a Attempt/Theft by Deception (F3). new vehicle policy from Progressive

Insurance. According to the complaint, • On October 29, 2018, Jermond Harper was Watson contacted Progressive on September arrested in Philadelphia County. According to 25 and claimed that she had been in an the criminal complaint, Harper obtained a accident which occurred at approximately 11 renter’s policy from Allstate Insurance in ______INSURANCE FRAUD SECTION NEWSLETTER 1 ______

PM on September 24. However, a police crash allegedly told the report allegedly revealed that the accident insurer that he had occurred before Watson obtained coverage. parked the vehicle in According to the complaint, Watson admitted the hotel parking lot, to investigators that she made false then took a bus to statements to Progressive about the date of New York City. the loss. Progressive denied the claim. Watson According to the was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud complaint, Debona (F3), one count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by claimed that upon his Deception (F3) and one count of Criminal Use return he discovered of a Communication Facility (F3). that his vehicle was gone. However, • On October 15, 2018, investigators learned that the vehicle allegedly Felipe Lithgow was had been repossessed on February 8 and arrested in Bucks moved to a storage lot. Debona was charged County. According to with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3), one the criminal count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Deception complaint, on (F3), one count of Criminal Use of a November 2, 2017, Communication Facility (F3) and one count of Lithgow obtained a False Reports to Law Enforcement (M2). vehicle policy from GEICO. On • On October 24, 2018, November 8, Lithgow Jakob Gucu was allegedly submitted a arrested in Luzerne claim to the insurer for flood damage to his County. According to vehicle. The damage purportedly occurred on the criminal November 7, while the vehicle was parked at a complaint, Gucu friend’s apartment complex. However, called Safe Auto on according to the complaint, an employee and June 26, 2016, and residents of the apartment complex told filed a claim for deer investigators that the flooding occurred on strike damage to his October 29, four days before Lithgow obtained Lincoln Navigator. his policy. Investigators allegedly corroborated Gucu allegedly told the witness statements by reviewing historical the insurer that the loss occurred that evening. weather data. According to the complaint, the However, according to the criminal complaint, data revealed that significant rain fell in the Safe Auto records revealed that Gucu area on October 28 and 29, but no rain fell on previously called the insurer on June 13 and November 7. When confronted with this reported that his wife struck a deer while information, Lithgow allegedly admitted to driving the Lincoln. The Safe Auto investigators that he obtained coverage after representative told Gucu at the time that the his vehicle was damaged. Lithgow withdrew Lincoln was not listed on Gucu’s policy. Gucu the claim. Lithgow was charged with one count allegedly called the insurer the following of Insurance Fraud (F3), one count of Criminal morning and added the Lincoln to his Attempt/Theft by Deception (F3) and one coverage. The case was referred to a Safe Auto count of Unlawful Use of a Computer (F3). investigator, who contacted Gucu by phone on July 5. According to the complaint, the • On October 25, 2018, Joseph Debona was investigator asked Gucu about his June 13th arrested in Montgomery County. According to deer strike call. Gucu allegedly maintained that the criminal complaint, On March 3, 2018, he had called only to verify his coverage. The Debona submitted a claim to Progressive complaint further stated that the investigator Insurance in which he allegedly reported that called Gucu back and played a portion of the his insured vehicle had been stolen from the June 13th recording for him. After listening to Double Tree Hotel parking lot sometime the recording, Gucu allegedly told the between February 23 and March 2. Debona investigator that the Lincoln should have been

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on the policy at that time and insisted that he and allegedly reported that the Jeep had been had added it on May 31. Safe Auto allegedly struck and damaged while parked. The determined that the deer strike occurred complaint further stated that between before the Lincoln was covered by the policy. November 30, 2016 and April 27, 2017, Garvin The claim was denied. Gucu was charged with told Progressive representatives that the Jeep one count of Insurance Fraud (F3) and one was parked by a friend’s house at the time of count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Deception loss. Due to alleged inconsistences in Garvin’s (F3). statements, Progressive hired an accredited accident reconstructionist to review the claim. • On October 25, 2018, According to the complaint, the expert Alexandra Garr was concluded that Garvin’s description of the arrested in Jeep’s damage was inconsistent with the type Montgomery County. of damage that occurs under those According to the circumstances. When she was confronted with criminal complaint, the expert’s findings, Garvin allegedly Garr had been driving admitted that she had fabricated the facts of her uninsured vehicle the accident at her friend’s direction. According on June 18, 2018, to the complaint, Garvin admitted that she when it was involved never possessed the Jeep. On April 28, 2017, in an accident at Garvin withdrew her claim. Garvin was charged approximately 5:06 with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3), one PM. Garr allegedly reinstated her lapsed count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Deception Progressive Insurance automobile coverage (F3), one count of Criminal Use of a at 5:34 PM. During the reinstatement process, Communication Facility (F3) and one count of Garr allegedly told the insurer that she had not Criminal Conspiracy (F3). been involved in any accidents during the lapse in coverage. According to the complaint, Garr • On October 9, contacted Progressive again at 10 PM and filed 2018, Malinda an accident claim. The complaint further stated Stoner was that on June 20, Garr told a Progressive arrested in Fayette representative that the accident occurred after County. According Garr had reinstated her coverage. However, to the criminal witnesses allegedly confirmed that the complaint, Stoner’s accident occurred earlier, when the vehicle was Progressive uninsured. Garr was charged with one count of Insurance policy Insurance Fraud (F3), one count of Criminal canceled for non- Attempt/Theft by Deception (F3), one count of payment in Criminal Use of a Communication Facility (F3) January, 2018. She and one count of Insurance Fraud (M1). obtained a new policy from the insurer on June 8, 2018 at 2:14 • On October 23, PM. The complaint further stated that during 2018, Shante Garvin the application process, Stoner claimed that was arrested in the vehicle had not been involved in any Montgomery County. accidents while it was uninsured. On June 14, According to the Stoner allegedly contacted the insurer and criminal complaint, advised that her vehicle was involved in an on February 8, 2016, accident at 6:30 PM. However, according to the Garvin registered a complaint, investigators determined that the 2005 Jeep Grand accident occurred at 9:03 AM, before Stoner Cherokee and obtained her new policy. Stoner was charged insured it with with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3) and Progressive one count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Insurance. On Deception (F3). November 30, Garvin contacted Progressive

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• On October 22, 2018, Kosar Oil customer since 2013. Allstate denied Shirah Gist was the claim. Brutus was charged with one count arrested in of Insurance Fraud (F3), one count of Criminal Philadelphia County. Attempt/Theft by Deception (F3), one count of According to the Forgery (F3) and one count of Criminal Use of criminal complaint, on a Communication Facility (F3). May 6, 2017 at 12:12 AM, Gist’s uninsured • On October 11, 2018, 2016 Jeep Compass Nicholas Markle was struck a parked arrested in Blair vehicle. Then at 1:22 County. According to AM, Gist allegedly the criminal purchased a Safe Auto insurance policy for complaint, on her Jeep. During the application process, Gist February 7, 2018 at allegedly told the insurer that the Jeep had not 12:51 PM, Markle was been involved in any accidents during the past driving his uninsured five years. According to the complaint, Gist vehicle when it struck contacted Safe Auto at 12:21 PM on May 6 and another vehicle. At filed a claim for damage from the accident. Gist 1:14 PM, Markle allegedly told the insurance representative allegedly contacted Esurance and obtained a that the crash occurred between 10:30 AM and liability-only vehicle policy. Later that day 11:00 AM on May 6. However, the complaint Markle filed a claim with Esurance. According stated that a police accident report revealed to the complaint, Markle told the insurer that that the crash happened at 12:10 AM on May he purchased the coverage at 11 AM, after 6. The time of the loss was confirmed by time- deciding to switch from Safe Auto Insurance. stamped video obtained from a surveillance However, the police accident report allegedly camera. Safe Auto denied the claim. Gist was revealed that the crash had occurred before charged with one count of Insurance Fraud Markle obtained liability coverage from (F3), one count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Esurance. Markle was charged with one count Deception (F3), one count of Criminal Use of a of Insurance Fraud (F3) and one count of Communication Facility (F3) and one count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Deception (F3). Insurance Fraud (M1). • On October 22, 2018, • On October 22, 2018, William Lane was Charles Brutus was arrested in Adams charged in Chester County. According to County. According to the criminal complaint, the criminal on February 15, 2017, complaint, on August Lane purchased an 10, 2017, Brutus filed automobile policy from a claim with Allstate Nationwide Insurance for Insurance. On damage to his home February 16, Lane from a burst water allegedly filed a claim pipe. Brutus allegedly stating that his vehicle was in an accident claimed that the loss occurred on March 1, earlier that morning. However, an 2017. Allstate requested confirmation that investigation allegedly revealed that nearly a Brutus had maintained heat in the home during week before he obtained coverage, Lane was the loss period. According to the complaint, cited by a Pennsylvania State Police trooper. Brutus submitted two fabricated Kosar Oil The complaint stated that according to the receipts to the insurer and advised that Kosar trooper, Lane’s vehicle was damaged at the Oil delivered oil to his residence during time. Lane was charged with one count of December and February of 2017. Investigators Insurance Fraud (F3), one count of Criminal allegedly found that Brutus had not been a

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Attempt/Theft by Deception (F3) and one approximately 7:35 count of Insurance Fraud (M1). PM, Pierce’s uninsured Chrysler • On October 25, 2018, was struck by Lurjie St. Victor was another vehicle arrested in while parked at a Montgomery County. local pizza shop. According to the The striking vehicle criminal complaint, on allegedly was not October 11, 2017, St. insured at the time Victor reduced the of the accident. amount of coverage Pierce allegedly on her Progressive purchased a Progressive Insurance Insurance vehicle automobile policy approximately one hour policy and removed after the accident. The complaint stated that coverage for theft of the vehicle. On December Pierce filed a claim with Progressive on January 22, St. Victor allegedly updated her policy so 4, 2018 and reported that the accident had that it once again included coverage for theft. occurred after she obtained vehicle coverage According to the complaint, on December 26, on December 21, 2017. Upon reviewing the St. Victor submitted a claim to Progressive in police crash report and security video obtained which she stated that her vehicle was stolen from the pizza shop, investigators allegedly just two hours after she added theft coverage. determined that the accident occurred before Investigators allegedly determined that the Pierce’s coverage took effect. Pierce was theft actually occurred before St. Victor charged with one count of Insurance Fraud reinstated the coverage. St. Victor was (F3) and one count of Criminal Attempt/Theft charged with one count of Insurance Fraud by Deception (F3). (F3), one count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Deception (F3) and one count of Criminal Use • On October 4, 2018, of a Communication Facility (F3). Richard and Anissa Weber were both • On October 25, 2018 arrested in Erie Heather Bordack was County. According arrested in Cambria to the criminal County. According to complaint, on March the criminal 14, 2018, Richard complaint, Bordack Weber contacted obtained a Safe Auto GEICO and reported automobile policy on that his 2007 Aston July 6, 2018 at 8:30 Martin was damaged AM. On July 12, while parked at a Bordack allegedly filed local Family Dollar a claim for deer strike Store. The sports damage which car allegedly was purportedly occurred at approximately 2 AM. added to the vehicle The complaint stated, however, that policy just three investigators determined that the accident days before Weber occurred on July 2, before Bordack obtained filed the claim. A the policy. Bordack was charged with one GEICO adjuster count of Insurance Fraud (F3) and one count inspected the Aston of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Deception (F3). Martin at the Weber residence and took • On October 24, 2018, Joy-Lynn Pierce was photographs of the arrested in Allegheny County. According to the damage. Both criminal complaint, on December 21, 2017 at Richard and Anissa Weber allegedly informed

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GEICO during separate recorded interviews computer was undamaged and was in good that the Aston Martin had been in perfect working order. Weber’s wife allegedly condition when they added it to the policy. confirmed that their daughter had not spilled However, the criminal complaint further stated water on the computer and that it was not that GEICO representatives reviewed a claim damaged. USAA denied the claim. Weber was for damage to the Aston Martin which Weber charged with one count of Insurance Fraud allegedly filed with USAA Insurance on (F3) and one count of Criminal Attempt/Theft February 4, 2018. According to the complaint, by Deception (F3). investigators found that the damage indicated in both claims appeared to be the same. • On October 17, Investigators showed photos of the damage 2018, Anthony from the GEICO claim file to body shop Murray was arrested employees who had inspected the Aston Martin in Allegheny County. at the time. The body shop employees According to the allegedly confirmed that the damage was criminal complaint, identical to the damage they had seen during Murray’s the prior inspection. According to the Progressive complaint, Anissa Weber admitted that she Insurance policy had falsely stated to GEICO that the Aston was cancelled in Martin was previously undamaged, in hopes of April, 2018, for non- getting the insurer to cover the cost of repairs. payment. On June Richard and Anissa Weber were each charged 25, 2018, at with two counts of Insurance Fraud (F3) and approximately 8:15 PM, Murray allegedly one count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by obtained a new policy from Progressive. Less Deception (F3). than three hours later, Murray contacted Progressive and allegedly claimed that his • On October 4, vehicle had rear-ended another car a short 2018, Richard time after Murray obtained his new policy. Weber was arrested According to the complaint, Progressive in Erie County. obtained a statement from the driver of the According to the other vehicle who indicated that the loss criminal complaint, occurred earlier, before the inception of on February 9, Murray’s policy. Further, the police crash 2018, Weber filed a report allegedly confirmed that the loss claim with USAA occurred before Murray obtained coverage. Insurance under Progressive denied Murray’s claim. Murray was his renter’s policy, charged with one count of Insurance Fraud in which he (F3) and one count of Criminal Attempt/Theft reported that his by Deception (F3). custom-built computer was permanently damaged when his adolescent daughter spilled • On October 25, water on it. USAA requested that the computer 2018, Asfand and be inspected by an independent company. Christen Ali were Weber allegedly provided a recorded both arrested in statement and supporting documentation to Chester County. USAA, indicating that a local computer store According to the technician had completed a diagnostic test on criminal complaint, the computer and had deemed the computer on April 2, 2018, to be a total loss. According to the complaint, Asfand Ali reported investigators subsequently determined that to Encompass that the computer store did not exist and that the couple’s car was Weber’s roommate actually had performed the damaged on March diagnostic. The complaint further stated that 31. Asfand allegedly the roommate advised the insurer that the stated that the loss occurred when he

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accidentally left the subsequently took parked car in neutral recorded statements and the vehicle rolled from McKinney and into a wooded area. Yoder. The couple When the insurer allegedly maintained confronted him that the property in about a body shop question was their estimate dated primary residence March 20, Asfand and was not rented allegedly claimed out. However, that he had been according to the confused about the complaint, date of loss. Asfand investigators found then allegedly told Encompass that the car had that McKinney and Yoder had a lease been damaged on March 18. Christen Ali agreement with the tenant who had been living allegedly corroborated the March 18 date of at the property since March of 2017. The loss. However, the complaint stated that tenant allegedly told investigators that Asfand withdrew the claim after an Encompass previously the bathtub had been sitting on investigator asked him to provide all two-by-fours awaiting repairs; when the paperwork relating to his purchase of the tenant accidentally kicked one of the two-by- vehicle and any repair estimates that he fours, the tub fell to the floor. According to the subsequently obtained. An investigator spoke complaint, McKinney eventually admitted to with the previous owner of the vehicle, who investigators that he did not live at the allegedly confirmed that the damage was pre- property and that it was rented at the time of existing. Asfand and Christen Ali were each the loss. According to the complaint, McKinney charged with one count of Insurance Fraud had falsely claimed to reside at the property (F3), one count of Criminal Conspiracy (F3), because he knew that the policy did not cover one count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by rental property. Dirk McKinney and Cindy Deception (F3) and one count of Criminal Use Yoder were each charged with two counts of of a Communication Facility (F3). Insurance Fraud (F3) and one count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Deception (F3). • On October 24, 2018, Dirk McKinney and • On October 22, Cindy Yoder were 2018, Calvin Horton arrested in Butler was arrested in County. According to Dauphin County. the criminal complaint, According to the on November 10, criminal complaint, 2017, McKinney filed a on July 22, 2016, homeowner claim with Horton purchased an Allstate Insurance automobile policy for water damage to from The General his residence. Insurance McKinney allegedly Company. On July reported when he returned to his home with 30, Horton filed a claim in which he allegedly his fiancée Cindy Yoder, the couple found that stated that his vehicle was damaged on July 29 the bathtub had overflowed and caused the tub as a result of a hit and run accident. However, to sink into the floor. According to the the complaint stated that investigators found complaint, a mitigation crew hired by Allstate that Horton had submitted a claim to went to inspect the damage and were greeted Nationwide Insurance for the same damage, by a couple who advised that they were renting which occurred on July 6. Horton was charged the property. The crew allegedly found no with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3), one water damage, but noted that the bathtub had count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Deception sunk into the bathroom floor. Allstate (F3) and one count of Insurance Fraud (M1).

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auto repair shop allegedly confirmed that • On October 12, 218, Avellino never had them perform the repair Burt Dent Webber III work. Avellino was charged with one count of was arrested in Insurance Fraud (F3) and one count of Criminal Lebanon County. Attempt/Theft by Deception (F3). According to the criminal complaint, • On October 4, 2018, on September 27, Lisa DeJohn was 2016 at 6:35 AM, arrested in York Webber purchased County. According an automobile policy to the complaint, from Progressive DeJohn’s Safe Auto Insurance. At 7:25 vehicle policy was AM, Webber allegedly cancelled for non- filed a claim for damages to his vehicle from a payment on deer strike which purportedly occurred at September 5, 2016. approximately 7:05 AM. According to the On October 16, complaint, investigators reviewed Weber’s 2016 at 6:12 PM, phone records from the date of the loss and DeJohn allegedly determined that the accident could not have contacted Safe Auto to renew her policy. occurred when Weber had claimed. During the application process, a Safe Auto Investigators interviewed Webber, who representative asked DeJohn if she had been allegedly admitted that he had been uninsured in any accidents within the past five years or if at the time of the accident. Webber was her vehicle had any prior damage. DeJohn charged with one count of Insurance Fraud allegedly responded in the negative. The (F3) and one count of Criminal Attempt/Theft complaint further stated that on October 18, by Deception (F3). DeJohn contacted Safe Auto again and reported that she had been involved in an auto • On October 15, accident in Gettysburg which occurred at 7 PM 2018, Brenda on October 16. DeJohn allegedly told the Avellino was arrested insurer that she and two other individuals had in Columbia County. suffered whiplash as a result of the accident. According to the According to the complaint, Safe Auto obtained criminal complaint, a copy of the crash report from the on May 29, 2014, Pennsylvania State Police indicating that the Avellino purchased accident occurred at 5:18 PM, which was an “as is” 2014 approximately one hour before DeJohn Dodge Avenger renewed her coverage. The complaint further which sustained hail stated that according to the PSP report, no damage on May 22. injuries were reported at the scene. DeJohn On April 8, 2016, was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud Avellino allegedly reported to Erie Insurance (F3), one count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by that her Avenger was damaged by hail while Deception (F3) and one count of Insurance parked outside on April 7. According to the Application Fraud (M1). complaint, Avellino failed to tell the insurer that the car was damaged before she bought • On October 25, 2018, Jesse Finnegan was it. Investigators allegedly found that no hail arrested in Clearfield County. According to the storm was reported on April 7 and that the last complaint, at approximately 8:04 PM on reported hail storm took place on May 22, February 5, 2018, Finnegan lost control of his 2014. Further, according to the complaint, uninsured Dodge pickup truck and struck a investigators discovered that Avellino had tree. Pennsylvania State Police were taken the Dodge to an auto shop for an dispatched to the accident scene. On the estimate of the cost of repairing damage following morning, Finnegan allegedly caused by hail on May 22. An employee at the contacted Safe Auto to reinstate his liability

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vehicle policy which count of Insurance Fraud (F3) and one count had been cancelled of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Deception (F3). for non-payment in December, 2017. At • On October 3, 12:03 AM on 2018, Jayadev February 7, Finnegan Sahoo was arrested allegedly added in Delaware comprehensive and County. According collision coverage to to the criminal his policy after complaint, on verifying that he October 20, 2017, would need the Sahoo reported to coverage if his GEICO his 2014 vehicle struck a tree. According to the Buick Regal was complaint, Finnegan contacted Safe Auto later struck in the rear by that day and reported that he lost control of another vehicle. his vehicle and struck a tree. Finnegan The impact allegedly pushed Sahoo’s vehicle allegedly reported that his truck’s passenger into the car ahead of him. According to the side tire, bumper, headlight, grill and frame complaint, Sahoo provided a recorded were damaged by the impact. Investigators statement to GEICO in which he stated that the allegedly confirmed with the Pennsylvania vehicle in front then left the crash scene. On State Police that Finnegan’s accident occurred November 4, GEICO inspected Sahoo’s vehicle before he added the coverage to his policy. and allegedly found that the damage appeared Finnegan was charged with one count of to be the same as the damage previously Insurance Fraud (F3) and one count of Criminal reported to GEICO in a vandalism claim. The Attempt/Theft by Deception (F3). complaint stated that investigators confirmed that the damage to the car’s front grille, front • On October 16, 2018, bumper cover, and front license plate frame Sonya Townsend was was present at the time of the prior August 12 arrested in Mercer claim. According to the complaint, County. According to investigators determined that beginning on the criminal October 20, Sahoo had filed three separate complaint, on March claims for the same damage. Sahoo was 23, 2018 at 8:23 AM, charged with one count of Insurance Fraud Townsend added (F3), one count of Criminal Use of a collision and Communication Facility (F3) and one count of comprehensive Criminal Attempt/Theft by Deception (M1). coverage to her Progressive • On October 11, 2018, Insurance Tyesha Figueroa was automobile policy. Later, Townsend allegedly arrested in Philadelphia contacted Progressive and reported that her County. According to vehicle had been involved in an accident after the complaint, Figueroa she added the coverage to her policy. was driving her Investigators allegedly confirmed that officers uninsured vehicle when of the Sharon Police Department were she was involved in an dispatched to the crash scene at 8:10 AM, accident at which was shortly before Townsend updated approximately 6:55 PM her coverage. According to the complaint, on April 29, 2017. investigators also learned that Townsend’s Figueroa allegedly daughter, who had no driver’s license, had obtained a new policy been operating the vehicle at the time of the from Progressive Insurance at 9:12 PM. The accident. Townsend was charged with one complaint further stated that on May 10, 2017, Figueroa filed a claim for the accident, but

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asserted that the crash occurred after her to contact her car leasing company policy was in place. However, the incident immediately after the accident occurred. She report prepared by Cherry Hill Police allegedly stated that Mowrer claimed to have Department officers who had responded to the left his insurance card at home and left the accident allegedly confirmed that the crash accident scene to get the information. occurred prior to the policy inception. According to the complaint, she tried to call According to the complaint, Figueroa admitted Mowrer several times and finally reached him to investigators that she made false at approximately 4:19 PM. Mowrer allegedly statements to Progressive about the time of explained to her that he had just spoken with loss. Figueroa was charged with one count of his insurance company, then provided his Insurance Fraud (F3), one count of Criminal GEICO policy number to her. According to the use of a Communication Facility (F3) and one complaint, she sent phone screen shots to count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Deception GEICO which confirmed the times of her post- (M3). accident calls. The complaint stated that Mowrer misrepresented the time of the • On October 24, accident in an effort to have GEICO cover the 2018, Troy Mowrer damage to the other driver’s vehicle. GEICO was arrested in denied payment. Mowrer was charged with one Lancaster County. count of Insurance Fraud (F3) and one count According to the of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Deception (F3). criminal complaint, Mowrer obtained a • On October 11, 2018, GEICO liability Brent O’Neal was policy for his 2004 arrested in Chevrolet Silverado Westmoreland truck at 4:19 PM on County. According to October 13, 2016. At the criminal 4:54 PM, Mowrer complaint, on March 9, allegedly filed an online claim indicating that 2017, O’Neal’s car was his newly-insured truck was in an accident at struck by a vehicle 4:30 that afternoon. According to the owned by his complaint, Mowrer reported that he had been roommate. The backing his truck out of a parking space when roommate allegedly it struck another vehicle. GEICO took Mowrer’s informed O’Neal that recorded statement on October 14. During the his Erie Insurance call, Mowrer allegedly told the representative policy was not in effect when the accident that the collision occurred at approximately occurred. Later, the roommate allegedly 4:20 PM or 4:30 PM, after Mowrer obtained obtained coverage from Erie which incepted on coverage from GEICO. When asked, Mowrer March 24, 2017. On April 4, 2017, O’Neal allegedly stated that he cancelled his previous allegedly contacted Erie and reported that on Safe Auto policy just before obtaining his April 3 at 10:00 AM, an Erie insured car backed current GEICO coverage. However, according into his parked vehicle and damaged its left to the complaint, an investigation revealed side. According to the complaint, O’Neal took that Mowrer’s Safe Auto policy ended more his vehicle to an auto repair shop and obtained than two years earlier and that Mowrer’s most a written repair estimate, which was dated recent vehicle insurance with Progressive March 9, 2017. The Erie representative who ended in July of 2015. A GEICO investigator reviewed the estimate noted that it was written subsequently contacted the driver of the other before O’Neal’s roommate obtained his Erie vehicle involved in the accident. She allegedly policy on March 24. O’Neal was charged with told the investigator that the loss occurred at one count of Insurance Fraud (F3) and one approximately 3:48 PM on October 13, which count of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Deception was prior to the inception of Mowrer’s GEICO (M1). policy. According to the complaint, she told the investigator that she used a neighbor’s phone

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• On October 19, wife’s vehicle was not 2018, Ursula insured at the time of Howard was the loss. After the arrested in conversation, Coffey Allegheny County. allegedly contacted According to the Progressive criminal Insurance and complaint, on May obtained a new auto 21, 2018 at policy which took effect approximately at 1:38 PM on May 18. 12:00 PM, According to the Howard’s vehicle complaint, the rear-ended a car husband of the woman which was stopped for a red light. Howard’s car whose vehicle had allegedly pushed the second vehicle into the been struck contacted car ahead. Approximately one half hour after Progressive at 3:09 PM the accident occurred, Howard allegedly and filed a claim for contacted Progressive Insurance and the accident. The reinstated her lapsed vehicle coverage. husband allegedly told According to the complaint, Howard informed the insurer that a Progressive that she had not had any accidents Progressive-insured or sustained any losses during the lapse vehicle struck his period. The complaint further stated that on wife’s car sometime May 22, the driver of the car which Howard’s after 2 PM. vehicle had struck contacted Progressive and Progressive filed an accident claim. The driver allegedly subsequently advised Progressive of the time of the crash. contacted the two During the claim process, Progressive involved drivers to obtain statements. Thecla questioned Howard about the details of the Craddock-Coffey allegedly told Progressive accident, including the time of the loss. that the crash occurred at approximately 3:00 Howard allegedly stated that the accident PM. However, according to the complaint, the occurred after her policy had been reinstated. owner of the other vehicle told the insurer that However, according to the complaint, the she learned of the accident when she left drivers of the other vehicles confirmed that the Target at approximately 12:07 PM. The vehicle crash occurred earlier, before Howard’s owner allegedly provided the insurer with a coverage was in place. Howard was charged copy of her Target purchase receipt which with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3), one confirmed that the transaction occurred at count of Insurance Fraud (M1) and one count 12:07 PM. Progressive denied the claim. Thecla of Criminal Attempt/Theft by Deception (M1). Craddock-Coffey and Ryan Coffey were each charged with two counts of Insurance Fraud • On October 29, 2018, Thecla Craddock-Coffey (F3) and one count of Criminal Attempt/Theft and Ryan Coffey were arrested in by Deception (M1). Westmoreland County. At approximately 12:00 PM on May 18, 2018, a vehicle driven by • On October 17, 2018, Sergio Ross was Thecla Craddock-Coffey allegedly struck arrested in Montgomery County. According to another vehicle in the parking lot of a Target the criminal complaint, Ross is the owner of a store in Monroeville. Craddock-Coffey called repair facility named Combat Collision. In May her husband Ryan Coffey, who allegedly of 2018, a vehicle insured by Travelers advised that their auto insurance had lapsed. Indemnity Insurance Company was According to the complaint, Craddock-Coffey involved in an accident. The vehicle was left her contact information for the owner of subsequently taken by its owner to Combat the other vehicle. That vehicle owner’s Collision for repairs. During the claims process, husband subsequently spoke by phone with Ross allegedly provided Travelers with a tow Ryan Coffey. Coffey allegedly admitted that his bill from S & R Towing in the amount of $420.

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According to the obtained by investigators revealed that when complaint, Ross Sincere registered the Jeep, he allegedly advised Travelers that presented a Proof of Financial Responsibility Combat Collision paid card to the tag agency which indicated that the the tow company and Jeep was insured by State Farm Insurance. was seeking According to the complaint, a State Farm reimbursement. The underwriter examined the Proof of Financial complaint stated that Responsibility card and determined that the investigators found card was fraudulent, as was the policy number that S&R Towing never and the name of the insurance agent which towed the vehicle. appeared on the card. Sincere was charged Ross allegedly with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3), one admitted that he had count of Forgery (F3), one count of Tampering submitted the fictitious invoice in an attempt with Public Records or Information (M2), one to obtain additional money from Travelers. count of False Application for Certificate of Ross was charged with one count of Insurance Title/Registration (M1) and one count of Fraud (F3) and one count of Criminal Altered, Forged or Counterfeit Attempt/Theft by Deception (f3). Documents/Plates (M1).

• On October 23, • On October 26, 2018, Ann Wilson 2018, Bias was arrested in Robinson was Fayette County. arrested in Bucks According to the County. According criminal complaint, to the criminal on December 6, complaint, on May 2017, Wilson 11, 2016, Robinson submitted a claim to was involved in a American Bankers car accident. Later Insurance for fire that day, Robinson damage to a mobile allegedly obtained home which Wilson an auto policy from owned and Safe Auto. According to the complaint, purportedly used as her primary residence. Robinson subsequently filed a claim for the However, an investigation allegedly revealed accident and submitted documentation to the that Wilson had not lived at the mobile home insurer for the cost of medical treatment that for several years and had no personal property he received for injuries from the accident. stored there. Wilson was charged with one Investigators obtained a copy of the police count of Insurance Fraud (F3). crash report which allegedly revealed that the accident occurred before Robinson purchased • On October 25, 2018, his policy. Robinson was charged with one David Sincere was count of Insurance Fraud (F3), one count of arrested in Theft by Deception (F3), one count of Criminal Philadelphia County. Use of a Communication Facility (F3) and one According to the count of Insurance Fraud (M1). criminal complaint, Sincere obtained a Pennsylvania registration for a 2002 Jeep on November 10, 2016, through an auto tag • On October 4, 2018, Soraya Gary was business in sentenced in Chester County after entering a Philadelphia. PennDOT vehicle records negotiated plea to one count of Insurance ______INSURANCE FRAUD SECTION NEWSLETTER 12 ______

Fraud (F3) and Chambersburg, one count of Franklin County and Criminal a clinic in Conspiracy (F3). Harrisburg, Gary filed a claim Dauphin County. A with Progressive Statewide Insurance in Investigating which she stated Ground jury found that her vehicle that between 2010 struck a light pole and 2014, the on the property of defendants John’s Funeral participated in a Home. According fraudulent to the complaint, funeral home owner insurance billing scheme which resulted in Leychawne Johns submitted photos and a total payments of more than $150,000 from repair estimate in support of Gary’s claim. Highmark, Capital Blue Cross and Erie However, an investigation revealed that Insurance. Herman was sentenced to serve Johns allegedly altered the estimate and 3 years of probation, ordered to perform 200 submitted it to Progressive in an attempt to hours of community service and to pay obtain an additional payment for a restitution in the following amounts: previously-covered loss. Gary allegedly told $93,134.97 to Highmark, $9,607.36 to investigators that Johns had asked her to file Capital Blue Cross and $12,002.09 to Erie the claim and that she agreed, hoping that Insurance. He was further ordered to pay a Johns would forgive what Gary owed for the $2,000 fine, a $5,000 civil penalty and court cost of her brother’s funeral. Gary was costs. Brady was sentenced to 3 years of sentenced to serve 8 to 16 months in Chesty probation, ordered to perform 200 hours of County Prison followed by two years of community service and required to pay probation. Gary agreed to continue to restitution in the amounts of $16,939.12 to cooperate with authorities in this case. Highmark, $243.89 to Capital Blue Cross and 2,545.89 to Erie Insurance. Brady also was • On October 5, 2018, fined $3,500 and required to pay court costs. Lawrence Herman, Joshua Rosinski was sentenced to 3 years of Joseph Brady Jr. probation, ordered to perform 200 hours of and Joshua Rosinski community service and required to pay were sentenced in restitution in the following amounts: Cumberland $2,816.77 to Highmark and $1,794.03 to County. Each Capital Blue Cross. He was fined $3,500 and defendant ordered to pay court costs. previously pled guilty to two counts • On October 12, 2018, of Insurance Fraud Hilda Long and (F3) and one count Dustin Long were of Criminal sentenced in Warren Conspiracy (F3). County. Hilda Long Herman was the entered a negotiated former co-owner of plea to one count of Herman Insurance Fraud Chiropractic, Inc., a (F3). Dustin Long company which entered a negotiated operated clinics at plea to one count of various locations in Criminal Pennsylvania, Attempt/Theft by including clinics in Deception (M1). On June 15, 2017, Hilda Waynesboro and added comprehensive and collision coverage to

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her existing accident happened at approximately 12:04 AM Progressive on November 3, prior to the inception of Insurance liability Pierce’s additional coverage. Pierce was policy for a 2013 sentenced to serve 2 years of probation, Dodge Grand perform 50 hours of community service and Caravan. Five days pay court costs. later, she contacted the insurer and • On October 17, 2018, reported that on June Candis Jones was 17, the rear of the sentenced in van had been Philadelphia County damaged when she after entering an backed the vehicle open plea to one into stairs on her property. Hilda’s husband count of Insurance Dustin provided a recorded statement to Fraud (F3), one count Progressive in support of the claim. However, of Criminal investigators learned that the van was Attempt/Theft by inspected for damages on June 1, 2017 by a Deception (F3), one local body shop. The shop wrote an estimate count of Criminal Use but never repaired the vehicle. The Longs of a Communication admitted to investigators that the damage Facility (F3) and one count of Criminal occurred before Hilda added coverage to the Conspiracy (F3). On January 12, 2014, Jones vehicle policy. Also, the couple admitted that and two alleged co-conspirators staged an they misrepresented the accident date in an accident involving a rented U-Haul truck. Jones effort to get the insurer to pay for repairs. filed a fraudulent accident claim with Repwest Hilda Long was sentenced to serve 29 days to Insurance Company and a claim for injuries 2 years less 1 day in county prison, with credit relating to the accident. An unnamed for time served. Dustin Long was sentenced to accomplice allegedly filed fraudulent vehicle serve 2 years of probation and to perform 50 damage claims with Repwest and Safe Auto. hours of community service. Both were also Jones was sentenced to serve 2 years of ordered to pay $500 fines, $150 in civil probation and pay court costs. penalties and court costs.

• On October 22, • On October 10, 2018, Rachel Nagy 2018, Christine and Eric Bergen Pierce was were sentenced in sentenced in Erie Tioga County. Nagy County after entered a entering a negotiated plea to negotiated plea to one count of one count of Insurance Fraud Criminal (M1). Bergen Attempt/Theft by entered a Deception (M1). negotiated plea to Pierce added one count of comprehensive and Criminal Conspiracy collision coverage to (M1). On November 12, 2015, Nagy contacted her vehicle on November 3, 2017, at the Mark Germino Agency and obtained a approximately 2:34 AM. Several days later, Progressive Insurance policy for her 2005 Pierce contacted Progressive Insurance and Dodge Ram truck. The policy listed Nagy’s reported that her vehicle had been in an boyfriend Eric Bergen as an excluded driver. accident on November 9, 2017, after the On December 3, Progressive notified Nagy that additional coverage was in place. However, the policy would cancel for non-payment on Pierce’s father told Progressive that the December 21. At 12:38 PM on December 8, ______INSURANCE FRAUD SECTION NEWSLETTER 14 ______

Nagy went to the Anti-Fraud Compliance – Reporting Mark Germino of Insurance Fraud to Law Agency and added Bergen as a covered Enforcement Agency driver on her policy. An employee of the Pennsylvania Bulletin Notice 2016-04 (issued April agency called 30, 2016) reminded insurers of their obligations to Progressive on December 9 and report suspected arson or insurance fraud to law advised that she was enforcement agencies within the Commonwealth. submitting an The bulletin also announced a decision by the accident claim on Pennsylvania Department of Insurance to allow behalf of Nagy and licensees to satisfy their reporting obligation when Bergen. In a they electronically submit reports of suspected recorded statement to Progressive, Bergen fraud to the National Insurance Crime Bureau stated that he had been driving to work in the Dodge Ram at approximately 5:30 AM on (NICB). December 9, when the truck hit a deer. Bergen advised that he called Nagy immediately after On July 6, 2017, Pennsylvania began participating the accident and then contacted the Mark in this online service which enables member Germino Agency. A Progressive representative companies to electronically forward reports of subsequently took a recorded statement from suspected fraud to the Pennsylvania Office of Nagy, who claimed that she had learned about Attorney General’s Insurance Fraud Section or the December 9th accident from Bergen when other appropriate law enforcement agencies at the he called at approximately 8:00 AM. An same time the companies report suspicious claims employee of the Mark Germino Agency told to the NICB. NOTE: The NICB is not a law Progressive that when Nagy added Bergen to enforcement agency. Therefore, a licensee cannot the truck’s policy, Nagy signed a form satisfy the fraud reporting requirement by indicating that the truck had not been involved submitting a non-electronic (paper) referral only in any prior accidents. Progressive obtained to the NICB. Nagy’s and Bergen’s cell phone records and found them to be inconsistent with certain Important: When utilizing electronic filing through information that the couple had provided. NICB, users should take careful note of the When Progressive contacted Bergen again, he provided instructions regarding the “Party” to a maintained that the truck had not been in an claim. Information entered about a Party will only accident prior to December 9, 2015. Nagy subsequently admitted that she had provided be transmitted to law enforcement if users select false information to the insurer. She also one of two options: “This Party was subject to an admitted that Bergen was not a covered driver SIU investigation” or “This Party was subject to an on her policy when the accident occurred. Nagy enforcement action.” Some users have missed and Bergen were each sentenced to serve 18 this notation about individual Party data and months of probation, ordered to pay a civil consequently have submitted incomplete penalty of $50 and pay court costs. information to law enforcement.

(ARD) DISPOSITIONS This newsletter was produced by the PA Office of Attorney General’s Insurance Fraud Section and edited by Senior Deputy Attorney General John T. Dickinson. During the month of October, six additional defendants received Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD).

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