Arrest - InsuranceFraud.org

As Louisiana homeowners worked to rebuild after Hurricane Ida, federal prosecutors say a Texas-based law firm sent insurance companies false information about their roof-repair claims.

Richard William Huye III, 34, formerly of New Orleans and now living in Texas, was charged Aug. 28 with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Here’s what to know about the case.

What happened?
Huye was charged by bill of information in federal court. Prosecutors accuse him of working with a Texas-based law firm and an Alabama roofing company after Hurricane Ida struck Southeast Louisiana on Aug. 29, 2021.

The law firm later opened a New Orleans office.

Prosecutors said the roofing company signed up hundreds of Louisiana homeowners using assignment-of-benefits agreements. Those agreements involved insurance claims for roof repairs.

Many Louisiana homeowners’ insurance policies included anti-assignment language or required prior approval, according to federal prosecutors.

What is Huye accused of doing?
Prosecutors said the law firm instructed the roofing company to sign attorney retention agreements for Louisiana homeowners without their knowledge or authorization.

Huye allegedly sent letters to hundreds of insurance companies claiming the law firm represented only the homeowners. The letters did not disclose the roofing company’s assignment-of-benefits agreements, prosecutors said.

The law firm allegedly made similar representations in other communications, mediations and court filings.

How many homeowners were affected?
The bill of information describes eight Louisiana homeowners whose property damage claims were affected.

Prosecutors said most of the homeowners either did not receive money intended for roof repairs or received less because of unauthorized attorney fees and expenses.

In some cases, prosecutors said a managing partner endorsed settlement checks without proper authorization and deposited money intended for homeowners into the law firm’s bank account.

How did investigators uncover the alleged scheme?
The allegations surfaced during federal court proceedings in February 2023.

At the time, attorneys for the law firm acknowledged sending at least 856 letters that prosecutors described as false or misleading.

They also acknowledged settling at least nine cases through mediation without disclosing the roofing company’s assignment-of-benefits agreements.

What punishment could Huye face?
Huye faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

The fine could also equal twice the gross gain to a defendant or twice the gross loss to a victim.

What happens next?
The FBI, Louisiana Department of Insurance and Louisiana State Police investigated the case, according to federal prosecutors.

The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward J. Rivera and Tracey N. Knight.

A bill of information is a charge. Huye is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Why it matters
The allegations involve hundreds of Louisiana homeowners who sought help with insurance claims after Hurricane Ida.

Federal prosecutors say the alleged scheme resulted in homeowners losing repair money or having their payments reduced by unauthorized fees and expenses.

Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk announced that two people have been arrested and charged in connection with a commercial fire near State Highway 200 Northeast in Remer Township.

According to Sheriff Welk, arrest warrants were issued for Kory Alvin Wagner, 52, of Hill City and Heather Pero, 36, of Grand Rapids. Both were arrested in Itasca County and taken to the Itasca County Detention Center.

The fire was first reported at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday April 27, 2025, at 6691 State Highway 200 Northeast. Responders found “The Pub,” a bar, engulfed in flames. Fire crews from Remer and Longville worked to control the fire, which caused significant loss.

According to court documents, Wagner purchased the Pub in March 2023 and listed in for sale in the fall of 2024.

The criminal complaint states that Wagner and Pero admitted to being at “The Pub around 4:00 a.m. that morning to get some food.

Law enforcement also met with staff who commented that they heard Wagner and Pero make comments about burning the building and even asked some staff if they be interested in burning the building, according to the criminal complaint.

Court documents state that the fire originated from two places in the building, that there was no evidence the fire started as a result of a mechanical or electrical issue in the building, and that the fires did seem to be a “deliberate human act”.

Wagner faces charges of aiding and abetting first-degree arson, aiding and abetting second-degree arson and attempted insurance fraud. Pero is charged with aiding and abetting first-degree arson and aiding and abetting second-degree arson.

Formal court appearances for Wagner and Pero are pending in Cass County District Court.

Raleigh County Sheriff Frank Priddy says deputies have arrested two people following an alleged false burglary report on June 13.

According to a press release, Lucas Boggess and Adrianna Smith initially told deputies that multiple items were stolen from their home.

However, investigators learned of multiple inconsistencies with what they were told and what was told to the suspects’ insurance.

The investigation showed evidence that the reported burglary and insurance claims were allegedly false.

Lucas Boggess and Adrianna Smith are both facing charges including insurance fraud and attempted fraudulent schemes.

Boggess’s bond is set for $400,000, and Smith’s bond is set for $300,000.

Authorities arrested a Democratic Party official for alleged COVID fraud for the second time this month on Wednesday.

US Attorney Leah Foley says police arrested Massachusetts state Rep. Francisco Paulino early Wednesday morning, charging him with 11 counts related to pandemic unemployment insurance fraud, pandemic loan fraud and money laundering.

“According to the Paulino indictment, Mr. Paulino devised a scheme to obtain more than $700,000 in federal pandemic relief funds. It is alleged that Paulino used some of the money for his own personal use, including real estate expenses, loan payments and transfers to his campaign account,” Foley said.

“Other money he flipped around and lent to other individuals at higher interest rates than the pandemic loan rate,” she continued.

The indictment says Paulino’s alleged fraud began in 2020 when he signed up for COVID relief funding on behalf of “an unwitting 77-year-old relative.”

Paulino’s arrest comes roughly a week after the FBI arrested Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña on similar charges.

He was arrested earlier this month.

“Everyone listening today knows how difficult it was for Americans during the pandemic,” Foley said.

“The money these two individuals allegedly scammed was meant for hardworking Americans and struggling business owners, not for two greedy individuals who lied and stole for their own personal benefit.”

“It is never a proud moment when we arrest a public official, but we will continue to do it until the message is received: No one is above the law, and no one gets a pass,” she added.

The owner of a Bridgeport business has been arrested and charged with failing to provide the required workers’ compensation insurance coverage for employees.

Dave Benbow age 54, of Bridgeport, was arrested on August 21, 2026 by Inspectors from the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney and charged with one count of Noncompliance with Insurance Requirements, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 31-288(f)/53a-11.

An investigation showed that the defendant’s company, All-Pro Abatement LLC, did not have a valid workers’ compensation insurance policy at the time of a workplace accident in West Haven, in which an All-Pro employee was injured. The defendant surrendered himself at the Rocky Hill Police Department, where he was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond. He is scheduled to appear at Milford Superior Court, Geographical Area No. 22, on August 31, 2026. The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Noncompliance with Insurance Requirements is a class D felony, punishable by one to five years of imprisonment and up to a $5,000.00 fine.

The case will be prosecuted by the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.

Kenneth McDaniel, 32, was arrested yesterday on four felony counts of insurance fraud and assault with a deadly weapon after a Department of Insurance investigation found he allegedly caused a vehicle collision in order to receive an undeserved insurance payout. McDaniel’s alleged actions left a victim with injuries and a totaled vehicle.

The Department began an investigation after being contacted by the California Highway Patrol following an auto accident. On July 30, 2022, McDaniel’s alleged victim was driving and got onto the 405 freeway when McDaniel in his Ram pickup truck crossed over the gore area between the traffic lane and freeway entrance at a high speed and got behind the victim. McDaniel then cut over two lanes and sped past other vehicles to intentionally cut in front of the victim and then abruptly stopped the vehicle for no reason. The entire collision was captured on dash cam on both the front and back of the victim’s vehicle.

The type of alleged scheme in this case is called a swoop and squat and is used to force a victim to remain in their lane so a collision cannot be avoided. These types of intentional collisions are extremely dangerous, not only for those involved, but for anyone on the road. Drivers should be cautious while driving and if anyone believes they have been targeted by this or any other type of auto fraud scheme, contact the Department at 800-927-4357.

The victim’s vehicle was totaled and they suffered soft tissue damage because of the intentional collision. McDaniel’s alleged actions also resulted in a loss of $25,062 for the victim’s totaled vehicle.

McDaniel was booked into the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station and bail is set at $30,000. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.

A report on handwriting specimens from the Namibia Police Forensic Science Institute is at the root cause of an almost year-long delay in the trial of Ondangwa-based magistrate, Liwena Walter Mikiti, in the Windhoek High Court before acting Judge Eileen Rakow. ExploringTravel Maps

The report, which is to determine the handwriting on claims submitted, is still outstanding, and Judge Rakow postponed the matter to 14 February next year for status hearing.

Mikiti is accused of duping insurance giant Santam Namibia of N$234 555 in fraudulent insurance claims.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges when his trial started in November last year.

He did not enter a plea explanation, and only confirmed his not guilty pleas through Section 115 plea, read into the record by then-legal representative advocate Slysken Makando.

According to the 115 plea, he put the proof of all the allegations on the State and make use of his right to remain silent.

The charges emanate from an alleged car insurance fraud committed during June 2014.

According to the charge sheet, Mikiti was the owner of a 2009 Mercedes Benz C180K BE Classic that was insured by Santam Namibia through Welwitchia Insurance Brokers.

The vehicle was involved in a chain collision with three other vehicles on the Oshakati Main Road near Oneshila on 13 June 2014 and sustained minor damages but could still be driven afterwards.

However, the indictment read, Mikiti submitted a claim that indicated the accident occurred on 14 June 2014 and that his motor vehicle sustained extensive damages that rendered it a total write-off.

It is further alleged that Mikiti used the particulars of the accident of 13 June 2014 and the accident report issued for that accident when he claimed from the insurance.

According to the State, it was on the basis of those particulars that Sanlam Namibia paid Mikiti the total sum.

According to the State, Mikiti misrepresented to Sanlam that his motor vehicle was involved in an accident on 14 June and not 13 June 2014, and that it sustained damages beyond economical repairs; that it was a 2010 model instead of a 2009 model; that the other party in the accident was a Johannes Kaujeua; that the accident scene on the 14th was attended by a police officer, and that he was entitled to claim from his insurance.

He did this, the State alleges, while he knew the damages that caused his vehicle to a write-off was not sustained during the accident of 13 June 2014 and that he made alterations to the accident report prepared on 13 June.

The trial is continuing today, and Mikiti, who is now represented by Pieter Greyling, is free on bail.

The prosecution is represented by advocate Timo Itula.

A federal grand jury in Topeka returned an indictment charging a Kansas woman and three Florida residents in connection with a scheme to defraud Medicare.

According to court documents, Steven A. Churchill, 36, of Boca Raton, Florida, Samson K. Solomon, 25, of Margate, Florida, Elaine J. Balsamo, 58, of Boca Raton, Florida, and Fawn J. Lickteig, 42, of Lawrence, Kansas, are charged with:

one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud;
eight counts of health care fraud;
six counts of mail fraud; and
four counts of wire fraud.

Churchill and Balsamo are also charged with four counts of money laundering.

Despite claiming to be a retail pharmacy, the defendants are accused of establishing a fraudulent mail order pharmacy. Between February 2020 and February 2021, the defendants allegedly used Freestate Pharmacy to submit false claims to Medicare for prescriptions for patients who had not spoken with the doctor and who had not requested the medication.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Kenney and Skip Jacobs are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

South Carolina prosecutors have put forth what they believe was Alex Murdaugh’s motive for killing his wife and son.

He wanted to distract attention from the illicit schemes he was running to avoid financial ruin, they allege in a motion filed Thursday.

“The evidence will show Murdaugh accrued substantial debts over a period of years and to uncover those debts began engaging in illicit financial crimes,” prosecutors wrote in the filing. “The evidence will further show these financial crimes were about to come to light at the time of the killings, more specifically on the date of the killings.”

“Ultimately,” wrote prosecutors, “the murders served as Murdaugh’s means to shift the focus away from himself and buy himself some additional time to try and prevent his financial crimes from being uncovered, which, if revealed, would have resulted in personal legal and financial ruin for Murdaugh.”

The bodies of Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and their 22-year-old son, Paul Murdaugh, were found on the family property in rural Colleton County on June 7, 2021.

Alex Murdaugh has been charged with murdering both. He has pleaded not guilty.

He also faces dozens of charges related to the theft and misappropriation of money from his clients and his own law firm.

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office fulfilled its arrest warrant for Pensacola contractor Matt Banks’ brother-in-law after he failed to begin a home remodel for a Gulf Breeze woman.

The Gulf Breeze woman told authorities she hired Jesse LaCoste and his company, LaCoste Construction Group LLC, just after Hurricane Sally in November 2020, just after Hurricane Sally, but LaCoste has allegedly failed to begin the work after they both signed a contract.

When a deputy responded on Aug. 31, 2022, the woman told the deputy she paid LaCoste $15,385.21 on July 16, 2021, and “work has not been started.”

The deputy then advised she submitted a demand letter for LaCoste to either finish the work or provide a full refund and allowed 30 days for the company to respond.

“On Sept. 19, 2022, (she) received the certified mail package back undelivered and unable to be forwarded to LaCoste Construction,” the arrest report states. “(She) has attempted numerous times through phone calls and email to contact LaCoste but has had no response.”

The Gulf Breeze woman has not had further correspondence with LaCoste, and the arrest report states deputies were unsuccessful in their attempts to contact him.

LaCoste was booked into Santa Rosa County Jail around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday on one count of larceny and released at 1:25 a.m. Thursday on $10,000 bond, according to the jail website.

Escambia and Santa Rosa counties revoked both LaCoste and Banks’ contractor licenses earlier in August after the counties were inundated with complaints that both contractors took clients’ money and failed to begin or finish home remodels.

Both contractors have had dozens of cases come before Escambia County’s Contractor Competency Board and Santa Rosa’s County’s Building Code Board of Adjustment and Appeals, where they have been ordered to pay millions of dollars back to clients who allege they failed to conduct or finish contractually obligated home renovations.

Attorney charged in alleged Hurricane Ida insurance fraud scheme