For Immediate Release: June 30, 2010
Contacts: Kristin Milam or Kerry Hall: 919-733-5238
Four Arrested in Greenville for Auto Insurance Fraud Scheme
RALEIGH -- Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced the arrests of four people for their alleged involvement in a series of automobile insurance fraud schemes worth more than $9,000.
Each was processed at the Pitt County Detention Center:
- Derrick Vontrell Lewis, 40, of 1804 Myrtle St., Greenville, was charged with four felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense, four felony counts of insurance fraud and three felony counts of conspiracy. He was placed under a $3,000 secured bond.
- Tanisha Learnell Williams, 37, of 1804 Myrtle St., Greenville, was charged with three felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense, three felony counts of insurance fraud and three felony counts of conspiracy. She was placed under a $3,000 secured bond
- Angela Harris Williams, 40, of 1108 Masters Lane, Apt. B, Greenville, was charged with two counts of obtaining property by false pretense, two felony counts of insurance fraud and one felony count of conspiracy. She was placed under a $10,000 unsecured bond.
- Sharon Williams Davis, 47, of 1013 Dunbrook Drive, Greenville, was charged with one felony count of obtaining property by false pretense and one felony count of insurance fraud. She was placed under a $5,000 unsecured bond.
Department investigators allege that in 2008 and 2009, Lewis, Tanisha Williams and Angela Williams filed fraudulent vandalism claims to GEICO Insurance Company, GMAC Insurance Company and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. They are accused of filing multiple vandalism claims for the same damage on a vehicle.
They are also accused of filing a false claim of a two-car accident to GEICO.
Sharon Davis is accused of filing a fraudulent claim to Nationwide Insurance for a bogus hit-and-run accident.
As a result of the claims, GEICO paid out approximately $4,140.74, GMAC paid out approximately $3,296.11, Liberty Mutual paid out approximately $1,074.31, and Nationwide paid out approximately $817.36, for a total payout of $9,328.52.
The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating claims of insurance fraud. To date in 2010, these criminal investigators have seen more than 150 cases successfully closed with more than $3.5 million in restitution and recoveries, more than 30 criminal convictions and more than 50 arrests.
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 Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.com.
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