View this article online: https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/west/2010/06/18/110843.htm
The California Department of Insurance has announced that Fransine Marie Lopez, 26, of Napa, and Alexander J. Webster, 21, of San Jose have been arrested for allegedly fraudulently reporting a collision that occurred before coverage was added to the vehicle.
Lopez, 26, self-surrendered on June 9 and Webster self-surrendered on June 16. Bail was set at $15,000 dollars for each suspect. If convicted, the subjects could face up to five years in prison and/or $10,000 in fines for each count.
The arrests were the result of an investigation conducted by CDI’s Urban Auto Task Force. The investigation revealed that Lopez allegedly made inconsistent statements and material misrepresentations regarding the facts surrounding the time of an accident that occurred on Jan. 22, 2010 CDI said. Lopez was charged with submitting a fraudulent insurance claim and Webster was charged with conspiracy to commit insurance fraud.
According to investigators, Lopez was involved in a vehicle accident on Jan. 22, 2010 at 6:20 p.m., and allegedly purchased insurance on the same day at 7:08 p.m. Webster allegedly assisted Lopez by paying for the policy with his credit card at the scene of the accident. Webster also allegedly authorized payment for a prior outstanding balance on Lopez’s lapsed policy prior to purchasing the new policy. It is alleged that Lopez then filed a claim for the accident using the insurance she just purchased. Lopez eventually confessed to investigators that she had panicked and purchased the insurance with Webster’s assistance after the accident occurred.
The Urban Organized Automobile Fraud Insurance Task Force is made up investigators from the CDI, California Highway Patrol and Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
Source: CDI