Topics Related to NCDOI

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Antonio Dequank Applewhite, 39, of 1710 Dartmore Drive, Wilson; he is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, attempting to obtain property by false pretense and filing a false police report.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Applewhite of providing fraudulent statements to Allstate Insurance Company and law enforcement that he was in a car involved in an automobile accident in an attempt to obtain medical payment. Investigators allege Applewhite was not involved in the accident.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Keith Darrell Robinson, 30, of 4530 Mica Court, Greensboro; he is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Robinson of submitting fictitious medical documents in support of a claim filed with North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company on Feb. 15, 2016, regarding a motor vehicle accident. Investigators allege Robinson received $5,000 in Med Pay.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Rickie Nelson Brinkley, 27, of 825 Tobacco Road, Rocky Mount; he is charged with one count of insurance fraud.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Brinkley of fraudulently claiming the damage to his vehicle happened after he purchased coverage with Progressive Auto Insurance on Dec. 21, 2016. Investigators allege Brinkley claimed the damage occurred on Dec. 22, 2016, but determined pictures of the damage were taken on Dec. 21, 2016.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Shemeka Erika Joyner, 34, of 117 Jerry Lane, Windsor; she is charged with one count of insurance fraud.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Joyner of filing a claim for pre-existing automobile damages with Sentry Insurance on Dec. 20, 2016. Investigators allege Joyner filed the same claim with National General Insurance in June 2016.

Joyner was arrested on Feb. 10 in Bertie County and released under a signed promise to appear in court.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Ebony Phillips, 35, of 2612 North Claremont Ave., Winston-Salem; she is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense in Guilford County.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Tammi Nichole Chabot, 35, of 5001 Nicks Road, Mebane; she is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Chabot of providing false statements to support a claim regarding the timing of the water damage to her residence with Homesite Insurance Company. Investigators allege Chabot activated water damage coverage after the damage occurred.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today released the following statement on the federal jury’s verdict, which found Greg Lindberg and John Gray guilty on all counts and John Palermo not guilty:

When daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 8, Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey reminds everyone to change the batteries in your household smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It also is a good time to review home fire safety plans.

“Smoke alarms cut the chances of dying in a fire in half, but they have to be in proper working condition in order to do their job,” said Commissioner Causey. “I urge everyone to use this weekend to check your smoke alarm. This could be a potentially life-saving investment of time and energy.”

The North Carolina Department of Insurance is ready and prepared in case of a coronavirus outbreak in the state. Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey is working directly with major insurance companies, the medical community, legislators, other state agencies and first responders to be on the offense if North Carolina’s consumers are in need.

“I encourage North Carolinians to stay calm and live life as usual but take preventative actions -- just as you would during the flu season,” said Commissioner Causey.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey and the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center invite Medicare recipients to a Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) town hall meeting to learn more about Medicare cost-saving programs.

The town hall meeting will be held on Monday, March 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the New Hanover Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington.