For Immediate Release:	Contact:
October 22, 2009	Kristin Milam
	Johanna Royo
	(919) 733-5238
Garner Woman Arrested on Charges in Three Separate Insurance Schemes
A total of $24,000 in insurance claims tied to accused
RALEIGH -- Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced the arrest of Kimberly Joyce Smithson, 32, 2216 Sumter Dr., Garner on charges of larceny and breaking and entering, filing a false report, insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretenses.
According to the arrest warrant, on May 24 Smithson stole diamond, sapphire, pearl, emerald and gold jewelry totaling $14,550. Investigators allege that Smithson stole the jewelry from a friend in Rocky Mount whose house she'd been asked to watch. According to a second warrant, Smithson filed a fraudulent claim with Assurant Insurance Company on April 21 claiming that a flat screen television and digital camera were stolen from her home. Smithson received a payment of $310.46 for her alleged losses. Finally, according to additional arrest warrants, Smithson had someone set her Garner home on fire and then filed a claim with Nationwide Insurance for $9,389 for property destroyed in the fire.
Smithson was arrested and taken to the Wake County Jail where she was placed under a $52,000 secured bond. The Rocky Mount Police Department assisted with in this investigation.
The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating claims of insurance fraud. So far in 2009, these criminal investigators have seen more than 241 cases successfully closed with more than $9.7 million in restitution and recoveries, 67 criminal convictions and 123 arrests and 92 cases pending in court.
An estimated 10 cents of every dollar paid in premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims. To report suspected fraud, contact the Department of Insurance Investigations Division at (919) 807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at the NC-DOI Web site.
-- NCDOI --