Sacramento Couple Arrested for Insurance Fraud

A husband and wife pair have been arrested in Sacramento, Calif., in connection with insurance fraud charges, the California Department of Insurance reported. Joanne Fawcett, 61 and Steven Fawcett, 62, both of Sacramento, were arrested on Oct. 7, 2008. for an insurance claim made in 2007.

In April 2007, Joanne claimed she was hit by a vehicle as she was walking in a parking lot, and injured her knee. She then alleged that as a result of her injury, she could not walk up stairs or work. Steven confirmed his wife’s claims in an interview with insurance company investigators. The CDI investigation, however, revealed that Joanne was able to walk up stairs and was employed cleaning rental properties during the time period she claimed to be unable to do so.

Additionally, surveillance video obtained during the investigation revealed that both Joanne and Steven worked for a property management company. The video also shows Joanne walking normally and moving a refrigerator into a rental property, CDI said.

The Department of Insurance investigation revealed that Joanne has filed 24 injury claims since the mid-1990s, costing insurance companies in excess of $450,000.

If convicted, the Fawcetts could each face up to five years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. The Sacramento District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.

Source: CDI