Five insurance fraud suspects plead guilty after Kreidler investigations
Five people in Washington pleaded guilty to insurance fraud-related charges from March to August 2020.
Like many services, the court system had to rethink the way it does business during the coronavirus pandemic. Starting with the June cases, all suspects have attended hearings via video conference.
Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) investigates insurance fraud and works with the Washington State Patrol and state and local prosecutors on criminal cases. Insurance fraud costs the average family $400 to $700 per year in increased premiums. Insurance companies are required by law to report fraud to the commissioner.
Anyone can report suspected insurance fraud on the insurance commissioner’s website.
August
Jamar Glenn pleaded guilty in Pierce County Superior Court to a felony charge of filing a false insurance claim. He was given credit for over 150 days served in jail and will pay a $500 victim compensation fee.
According to the investigation, Glenn filed a claim with Progressive Insurance in March 2017 for the theft of his 2006 Nissan Maxima, valued at nearly $5,800. Tacoma Police found the car one day later parked at another house. Progressive found records showing Glenn had arranged to have the car towed to that location the day he filed the claim. Progressive denied the claim and referred the case to Kreidler’s investigators.
July
Julie Belden pleaded guilty in Skagit County Superior Court to one count of filing a false insurance claim. She was sentenced to 20 days of home confinement and to pay $700 in fees. Restitution will be determined at a later date.
According to the investigation, Belden filed a claim with USAA for a diamond ring valued at $2,500 she said she lost in August 2019 in a lake. While reviewing the claim, USAA investigators determined the photo she submitted to prove she owned it was taken two days after she said she lost it. USAA denied the claim and referred the case to Kreidler’s CIU.
June
James Faletogo pleaded guilty in King County Superior Court to attempted insurance fraud. He was given credit for time served and was ordered to pay a $500 victim assessment fee and to repay investigative costs to the insurer. He had already repaid the fraudulent claim amount.
According to the investigation, Faletogo filed a long-term disability claim with The Standard in October 2017 due to a foot injury. He started collecting benefits in January 2018 after a 90-day waiting period. He continued to collect on the claim through June 2018, receiving over $13,400 in benefits. The Standard contacted his employer, the City of Seattle, and was notified that Faletogo had returned to full-time employment in January. The Standard referred the case to Kreidler’s investigators.
March
Dale Maki pleaded guilty in Pend Oreille County District Municipal Court to one count of attempting to file a false insurance claim. He was sentenced to six months’ unsupervised probation and to pay $293 in court fees.
According to the investigation, Maki bought a 2000 GMC Sierra pickup for $3,000 from a private party in August 2018. He added it to his Farmers Insurance auto policy and two days later, filed a claim for $3,338 in damage to the passenger side rear wheel panel and bumper. The previous owner of the vehicle showed investigators photos of the damage to the truck that were taken before Maki bought it. Farmers denied the claim and referred it to Kreidler’s investigators.
Daniel Acevedo pleaded guilty in Spokane County Superior Court to a gross misdemeanor count of filing a false insurance claim. He was sentenced to 364 days of incarceration with all but one day suspended and credit for one day served. He will serve 12 months’ unsupervised probation and pay $1,800 in court costs and restitution.
According to the investigation, Acevedo reported his 2012 Subaru Forester stolen in April 2018 and filed a claim with Progressive Insurance. Progressive found records showing the car was towed to an auto repair shop that month and diagnosed with engine failure. Progressive denied the claim and referred the case to Kreidler’s detectives.
