Topics Related to NCDOI

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of David Fitzgerald Bishop Jr., of 135 Fieldcreek Court, Winston-Salem. Bishop is charged with obtaining property by false pretense and common law forgery, both felonies.

According to special agents with the N.C. Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division, Bishop obtained $290,482.76 from Wilson Brothers Milling Co. by providing the company with a false certificate of liability insurance to gain payment. 

The incident occurred on July 30, 2023, according to the arrest warrants.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Zsadella Kassandra Burris, 24, of 4600 Sharon Chase Drive, Charlotte. Burris was charged with insurance fraud, a felony.

According to special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division, Burris presented false statements to State Farm by claiming a receipt from a website image was proof of purchase of a stolen necklace. 

The incident occurred on June 24, according to the arrest warrants.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Alexis Camrey Washington Thompson, 29, of 196 Rock Hill Road, Maple Hill. Thompson was charged with insurance fraud, a felony.

Special agents with the Department of insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Thompson of filing a renters’ insurance claim with Markel American Insurance Co., saying that items were stolen during a break-in at her residence when the items had actually been sold.

The offense occurred on June 1.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has announced that another Victim Assistance Center (VAC) has been added to assist those affected by Hurricane Helene. The new VAC will open in the Swain County town of Bryson City on Friday, Nov. 8.

The VAC will be located at the Swain County Technology Center, 45 E. Ridge Drive, Bryson City, N.C. 28713 on Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This VAC is in addition to centers previously announced in Western North Carolina, which will also be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner has announced that Victim Assistance Centers (VACs) will open in Old Fort, Marshall, Columbus, Lake Lure and Sparta to aid those affected by Hurricane Helene.

The following VACs will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has issued a new bulletin to the insurance industry, reminding insurers to follow state law and not penalize certain consumers in Hurricane Helene-related claims.

Because of a FEMA requirement, consumers must first get a denial from their insurance company before making a flood-related claim through the National Flood Insurance Program. The bulletin reminds insurance companies that state law prohibits penalizing policyholders for making such a claim or inquiry when no payment is made by the insurance company.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey pressed for further support and aid for victims of Hurricane Helene during a visit to Washington, D.C., this week.

At the roundtable discussion on hurricane response hosted by the U.S. Department of Treasury on Wednesday, Commissioner Causey told fellow panelists of the need for strong and consistent communication with the citizens of western North Carolina regarding federal and state resources available to them as they look to rebuild their communities.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Blair Terell Lofton, 29, of 3235 Pleasant Garden Road, Greensboro. Lofton was charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of a former fire chief in Caldwell County on charges of embezzling $155,299 from his volunteer fire department.

Brian Jason Edwards, 49, of 4262 Grace Chapel Road, Granite Falls, was charged with embezzlement, common law forgery and six counts of obtaining property by false pretense.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will visit Washington, D.C. this week to advocate on behalf of and push for more relief aid for North Carolina victims of Hurricane Helene.

Commissioner Causey will participate in a roundtable discussion on Hurricane Response hosted by the U.S. Department of Treasury at their main building from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 30.