by MaxHerr » Sat May 08, 2010 12:23 pm
Latest news from the CA Dept of Insurance [5-7-10]
Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today announced the Friday, April 30 arrests of four Inland Empire residents for alleged felony auto insurance fraud. Travis Jones, 24, who was with the Banning Police Department for less than one year and his father, Jeffrey Jones, 52, were arrested at their Corona residence. Also arrested was Jones’ neighbor, Ernest Leite, Jr., 44. All three suspects were booked at the Riverside County Jail with their bail set at $50,000 each. Travis Jones’ childhood friend, Steven Mestas, 31, of Riverside was ordered to appear in court on June 1, 2010.
For involvement in the fraudulent reporting of a vehicle theft and subsequent insurance claim, Travis was charged with three felonies; the other three suspects were charged with two felonies each. The San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case, which resulted from a year and a half investigation.
"Auto insurance fraud is a horrible way to avoid other financial troubles," said Commissioner Poizner. "It can result in felony charges, making what might be a tough situation only worse."
On September 8, 2008, Travis Jones reported to the Riverside Police Department that his 2005 Dodge Ram pickup truck had been stolen. Jones told police that he drove his truck to a residence in Riverside to attend a birthday party, staying at this residence until the following morning, at which time he discovered the supposed theft. On September 10, 2008, Travis filed an insurance claim with his insurer, Mercury Insurance Company (Mercury) for the loss.
During the claims process, however, Mercury found that Jones' truck had been driven into Mexico on September 7, 2008, disputing Travis Jones’ timeline and causing him to admit that his truck had not been stolen from Riverside – he withdrew his claim to Mercury. Further investigation revealed that Travis Jones wanted to buy a new Dodge Charger, but was financially obligated for the 2005 Dodge Ram pickup truck. Travis knew the insurance settlement would relieve him of this financial obligation, allowing the purchase of the new vehicle.
The investigation also disclosed that Jones planned on using alcohol consumption to account for the timeline discrepancy in the event law enforcement became involved with the insurance claim. Travis Jones allegedly conspired with Mestas, Jeffrey Jones, and Leite to corroborate his story. Mestas admitted later that the birthday party and the theft story were both fabricated. Had the fraudulent claim gone on undetected, Mercury could have been responsible for paying $15,000 to Travis Jones.
This case was part of the Inland Empire Organized Automobile Fraud Interdiction Program and was investigated by detectives from the California Highway Patrol and Department of Insurance. In addition, the investigation was assisted by Mercury’s Special Investigations Unit as well as the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Commissioner Poizner oversees sixteen CDI Enforcement Branch regional offices throughout the state. Nearly 2,800 insurance fraud-related arrests have been made by CDI since Commissioner Poizner took office in 2007 - more arrests than have been made during any other three year period, under any previous insurance commissioner.
Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today announced the Friday, April 30 arrests of four Inland Empire residents for alleged felony auto insurance fraud. Travis Jones, 24, who was with the Banning Police Department for less than one year and his father, Jeffrey Jones, 52, were arrested at their Corona residence. Also arrested was Jones’ neighbor, Ernest Leite, Jr., 44. All three suspects were booked at the Riverside County Jail with their bail set at $50,000 each. Travis Jones’ childhood friend, Steven Mestas, 31, of Riverside was ordered to appear in court on June 1, 2010.
For involvement in the fraudulent reporting of a vehicle theft and subsequent insurance claim, Travis was charged with three felonies; the other three suspects were charged with two felonies each. The San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case, which resulted from a year and a half investigation.
"Auto insurance fraud is a horrible way to avoid other financial troubles," said Commissioner Poizner. "It can result in felony charges, making what might be a tough situation only worse."
On September 8, 2008, Travis Jones reported to the Riverside Police Department that his 2005 Dodge Ram pickup truck had been stolen. Jones told police that he drove his truck to a residence in Riverside to attend a birthday party, staying at this residence until the following morning, at which time he discovered the supposed theft. On September 10, 2008, Travis filed an insurance claim with his insurer, Mercury Insurance Company (Mercury) for the loss.
During the claims process, however, Mercury found that Jones' truck had been driven into Mexico on September 7, 2008, disputing Travis Jones’ timeline and causing him to admit that his truck had not been stolen from Riverside – he withdrew his claim to Mercury. Further investigation revealed that Travis Jones wanted to buy a new Dodge Charger, but was financially obligated for the 2005 Dodge Ram pickup truck. Travis knew the insurance settlement would relieve him of this financial obligation, allowing the purchase of the new vehicle.
The investigation also disclosed that Jones planned on using alcohol consumption to account for the timeline discrepancy in the event law enforcement became involved with the insurance claim. Travis Jones allegedly conspired with Mestas, Jeffrey Jones, and Leite to corroborate his story. Mestas admitted later that the birthday party and the theft story were both fabricated. Had the fraudulent claim gone on undetected, Mercury could have been responsible for paying $15,000 to Travis Jones.
This case was part of the Inland Empire Organized Automobile Fraud Interdiction Program and was investigated by detectives from the California Highway Patrol and Department of Insurance. In addition, the investigation was assisted by Mercury’s Special Investigations Unit as well as the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Commissioner Poizner oversees sixteen CDI Enforcement Branch regional offices throughout the state. Nearly 2,800 insurance fraud-related arrests have been made by CDI since Commissioner Poizner took office in 2007 - more arrests than have been made during any other three year period, under any previous insurance commissioner.
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 09:35 am Post Subject:
thanks for giving news plz keep it up
Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 02:34 am Post Subject: thanks
Yes thank you much
Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 09:01 am Post Subject:
2800 arrests would certainly mean an improvement since Commissioner Poizner had commenced. I'm sure you'll share more of such info with us.
Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 01:33 am Post Subject:
Actually, ever since his campaign for Governor failed, the number of new press releases has dwindled to a trickle. I guess it's not so important to keep his name in the news as a lame duck.
Personally, I think he's been a very good Insurance Commissioner, and I'm sorry he made the mistake of running against Meg Whitman this time around. She has blown almost $125,000,000 on her campaign (more than the Republican and Democratic National Committees will spend combined this year across the US to elect Congressmen/women and Senators), and it's possible that the electorate here in California are tired of her and will still elect Jerry Brown to a third term.
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