Topics Related to NCDOI

NC Department of Insurance Press Release

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrests of April Nicole Montero, 37, of 739 N. Rhyne St., Gastonia, and Deborah Jeanea Brown of Gastonia. Both were charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, all felonies.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Montero and Brown of conspiring to stage an accident of a rental U-Haul truck.

The offenses occurred on April 10.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Noah Zachary Daniel Saunier, 30, of 1517 Little Savanah Road, Sylva. Saunier was charged with three counts of insurance fraud and three counts of attempting to obtain property by false pretense, all felonies.

All six charges relate to claims filed with three insurance companies involving his 2022 Audi, valued at $161,000.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Samuel Dwayne Collins, 53, of 2725 Smethwick Lane, Gastonia, was charged with three counts of insurance fraud, two counts of attempting to obtain property by false pretense and one count of obtaining property by false pretense, all felonies.

According to criminal summonses, Collins presented altered physical therapy receipts and an altered doctor’s note to Integon General Insurance Corp. in an attempt to obtain payment on insurance claims.

The offenses occurred between April 15 and May 6.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will present two Guardian Awards during a special ceremony in Denton on Tuesday, Sept. 16.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Joyce Elaine Hawkes, 55, of 710 Parkaire Lane, Charlotte. Hawkes is charged with insurance fraud, a felony.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Kimberly Gilliam, 47, of 720 Farmhurst Dr., Charlotte. Gilliam is charged with insurance fraud, a felony.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will attend the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division Blood Drive at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will be present Guardian and Century Awards to the Morehead City insurance firm of Chalk and Gibbs during a special presentation on Thursday, Aug 28.

The award presentations will take place at 10 a.m. at 1006 Arendell St., Morehead City.

The Commissioner presents the Century Award to those within the insurance industry who have operated for at least 100 years. 

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that an Onslow County woman has been sentenced to seven to 12 years in prison following a plea agreement with prosecutors on numerous arson and other illegal burning charges.

On Aug. 22, Chasity Dawn Keeter, 37, of 1008 Ridgecrest Lane, Jacksonville, was sentenced to 84-149 months in prison after pleading guilty to five counts of second-degree arson, two counts of burning personal property and one count of animal cruelty for her involvement in six Onslow County fires. All counts are felonies.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Sara Peffer Bailey, 22, of 234 Raven Circle, Lexington. Bailey is charged with three counts of insurance fraud, two counts of obtaining property by false pretense and one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense. All six charges are felonies.