Topics Related to Fraud Control/Investigations

A newly-formed investigative unit created to combat disability fraud will include two North Carolina state agencies along with two partner agencies from the federal government.

UPDATE: On Aug. 1, 2024, Derek Ezzell pleaded guilty to misdemeanor larceny. He received a suspended 45-day sentence, was given 12 months of unsupervised probation and ordered to pay $375 in court costs. All other charges were dismissed.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Derek Urban Ezzell, 56, of 9695 Moss Plantation Ave. NW, Concord, was charged with identity theft and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Malik Amir Rudolph, 28, of 3425 Sunbright Lane, Raleigh. Rudolph was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies.

According to the arrest warrant, Rudolph attempted to collect on an automobile insurance claim with Geico Insurance Co. by providing false information to the company.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Taylor Lyndsey Simmons, 24, of 1533 Ellis Road, Durham. Simmons was charged with insurance fraud and identity theft, both felonies.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Simmons of obtaining two insurance policies in her father’s name without his knowledge or permission. 

Simmons completed online applications and made multiple phone calls pretending to be her father, according to the arrest warrant.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Orlando Wonson, 51, of 5419 Highway 43 North, Pinetops. Wonson was charged with insurance fraud, a felony. 

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrests of Ryan Neal Frye and Kaci Leigh Ferrell, both of 937 Patriots Pointe, Hillsborough. Both were charged with felony insurance fraud.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Shantesha Peoples, 29, 209 Beech St., Greenville. Peoples is charged with insurance fraud and an attempt to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Danny Leon Simmons II, 34, of 1372 Lees Chapel Road, Greensboro, and Kamika Michelle Slade, 33, of 3400 Delancy St., Greensboro. Both were charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, all felonies.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Simmons and Slade of providing false information to United Financial Casualty Co. in an attempt to obtain $5,000 in an automobile insurance claim.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Jonathan Bowers, 47, or 357 Gallup Road, Chapel Hill. Bowers was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Bowers of attempting to receive $2,300 from USAA Insurance by listing a ring that he had previously pawned among valuable personal property items he said was stolen while he was away on vacation.

The offenses occurred on March 17.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Alexea Maurice Houston, 44, of 1122 Holmes St., Salisbury, was charged with obtaining property by false pretense.

Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Houston of cashing a check from his insurance company after he had requested a stop-payment action on the check, saying he had not received the check from the insurance company.

The offense occurred on Jan. 19.