North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that two Mecklenburg County brothers have pleaded guilty to charges related to a roofing scam sting in Wake County late last year.
Brett William Bentley, 28, and Robert Allen Bentley, 36, both of 6617 Elmstone Drive, Charlotte, offered guilty pleas in Wake County District Court earlier in August.
Brett Bentley pleaded guilty to misdemeanor injury to real property and paid court-ordered restitution of $27,678.50 to N.C. Farm Bureau Insurance along with court cost.
Robert Bentley pleaded guilty to felony injury to real property and attempting to obtain property by false pretense. He was sentenced to 24 months of supervised probation and ordered to complete 50 hours of community service within 180 days. He was also ordered to pay court costs, a community service fee and a $50 fine. He is prohibited from working in the roofing industry during his probation. His case is scheduled for review Aug. 17, 2027.
The two worked for A&M Premier Roofing & Construction.
The Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division worked with Farm Bureau’s Special Investigations Unit in the sting operation. The fraud investigation employed a “bait house,” which is used to catch employees of roofing companies intentionally damaging a roof to create repair work for themselves and to support a fraudulent insurance claim.
“This conviction demonstrates that insurance fraud has real consequences,” Commissioner Causey said. “Roofing scams are serious crimes, and I want to thank Farm Bureau for partnering with our special agents throughout this investigation.”
If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.