Topics Related to Fraud Control/Investigations

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Nakia Louisanna Craig, 43, of 915 Plum St., Durham. She is charged with felony insurance fraud.

According to the warrant, Craig filed an auto claim with Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Co. on a vehicle that she no longer possessed. The offense occurred between Jan. 29 and April 10.

Special agents with the Criminal Investigations Division of the N.C. Department of Insurance arrested Craig on July 24 in Durham County. She was given a $2,000 unsecured bond.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Brandi M. Rivera, 40, of 5541 Fountain Grove Circle, Fayetteville, has been charged with insurance fraud.

According to a criminal summons, Rivera filed an auto insurance claim with Geico Insurance Co. saying that an accident occurred on May 8. However, a Fayetteville police accident report showed that the accident occurred on May 4, during a period when her insurance had lapsed. Rivera reinstated her policy with Geico on May 7, the summons says.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Johnny Carroll Clifton Jr., 47, of 714 Brookford Place Court, Winston-Salem. He is charged with practicing law without a license, a misdemeanor.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Clifton of unlawfully acting as legal counsel for Jeannie Benton and her son, Jeremy Maynard, during a legal matter involving Geico Insurance Co.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Shylemu Wylemu Jones, 37, of 159 Timber Lane, Henderson. Jones was charged with embezzlement by an insurance agent.

According to the arrest warrant, Jones is accused of embezzling $1,439.69 in life insurance premiums from United Insurance Company of America. The offense occurred between Nov. 22, 2017, and Jan. 25, 2018.

Special agents from the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division arrested Jones on July 19. She was placed under $30,000 unsecured bond.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Sharonda Gail Murphy, 29, of 1504 Hudgins Drive Apt. B., Greensboro. She was charged with felony insurance fraud.

According to the arrest warrant, Murphy made an agreement with a co-defendant to submit a false claim to State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. that an auto accident occurred. The two had agreed to split the claim money, the arrest warrant adds.

The offense occurred between May 1, 2017, and Aug. 6, 2017.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is offering tips to avoid roofing scams in the wake of the arrest of a roofing company owner who did not perform roof replacement work after collecting money from homeowners and insurance companies to do so.

“Hurricane season is still upon us and potentially damaging storms can provide opportunities for people who have unscrupulous business practices to rip off homeowners,” Commissioner Causey said. “Make sure you’re not a victim by following some common sense tips to avoid these scams.”

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of the owner of Above and Beyond Roofing on charges stemming from a months-long investigation into fraudulent roof repair.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Amelia Tanisha Jones, 34, of 4018 McIntosh St. Apt. E, Greensboro. Jones was charged with felony insurance fraud.

According to the warrant, Jones presented an auto insurance claim to USAA Insurance Co. on May 20 for a $3.408.51 claim that had already been settled and paid in March.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division arrested Jones on June 29 in Guilford County. She was released on a written promise to appear in court.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Dakwon Antonio Bunch, 28, of 113 Kings Parkway, Raleigh. Bunch is charged with two counts of felony insurance fraud, one count of felony obtaining property by false pretense, and one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense, also a felony.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Bunch of presenting false information for two separate insurance claims with Geico Indemnity Co.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Vernon Burton, 54, of 45 E. Lawson St. Apt. C, Durham. Burton was charged with felony insurance fraud, felony attempting to obtain property by false pretense, and filing a false report to a police station, a misdemeanor.

According to the arrest warrant, Burton filed an auto insurance claim with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., saying that his vehicle had been stolen when it had actually been repossessed. Burton is also accused of filing a similar report with the Durham Police Department.