Two South Carolinians recently convicted and sentenced for insurance fraud
COLUMBIA, S.C. – April 5, 2016 – On March 16, Anthony White pled guilty to Presenting a False Claim for Payment in an amount greater than $2,000 and less than $10,000.
On August 30, 2010 White was in a vehicle that was involved in an accident at the Irby St Wal-Mart in Florence County. After the accident, Mr. White reported to Progressive Insurance that he injured his shoulder. As documentation of his injury, he submitted bogus medical bills from Providence Hospital. The insurance did pay his claim before the handling adjuster confirmed with the hospital that he never received treatment and no bills were ever generated.
Judge Craig Brown sentenced the defendant to 432 days (the defendant is serving a 10 year sentence for a 2011 involuntary manslaughter conviction).
On March 24, Tamara Oliver also pled guilty to Presenting a False Claim for Payment, greater than $2,000 and less than $10,000. Judge Ralph F. Cothran, Jr. sentenced Oliver to 4 years suspended to 1 year probation.
In May, 2013, Oliver and 6 co-defendants staged a wreck involving a Ford Expedition and a rented U-Haul truck for the purpose of presenting false insurance claims for payment in Sumter County. Ms. Oliver was the driver of the U-Haul. She left the scene of the wreck via EMS and was taken to Tuomey Hospital where she received x-rays and other treatment. These claims were presented to Republic Western Insurance Company, the insurance company for U-Haul. The fraud was discovered before the claims were paid. Ms. Oliver was the last of the co-defendants to plead guilty and be sentenced. This case was investigated by Senior Special Agent John Follin with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
Insurance fraud is an expensive and often a dangerous crime that results in increased insurance costs for every household. While the exact amount of fraud is difficult to determine, the Insurance Information Institute estimates that 10% of the insurance industries’ losses and adjustment expenses can be attributed to fraud.
To report suspected insurance fraud, call the Insurance Fraud Hotline at (888) 95-FRAUD (888-953-7283). Callers can remain anonymous.
For more information from the S.C. Insurance News Service, or to schedule an interview, call (803)252-3455.
For almost 40 years, the South Carolina Insurance News Service has been providing free insurance information to consumers and the media about property and casualty insurance issues.
For more information, contact the South Carolina Insurance News Service at 803-252-3455 or use our contact form.