Md. Cop Nabbed in Fraud Scam

Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr., reported the filing of criminal theft and insurance fraud charges against Calvin Roots, 39, of Forestville, Maryland.

In a six (6) count indictment filed in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Roots was charged with stealing $8,991.95 in insurance benefits from State Farm Insurance Company in 2001 by making false statements in support of an insurance claim. Roots is a Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer. The indictment follows a joint investigation conducted by the Insurance Fraud Division of the Maryland Insurance Administration and the Office of the Attorney General.

The charges allege that between Sept. 8 and Nov. 30, 2001, Roots made oral statements and presented documentation containing false and misleading information concerning a claim with State Farm Insurance Company.

If convicted of theft, Roots could be sentenced to serve 15 years in prison and fined $25,000. He also faces 15 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine if convicted on the insurance fraud counts.

A trial date of May 15, 2006 has been tentatively set.