Carl Hickey of Weston in Broward County has been arrested on a charge of filing false and fraudulent insurance claims in connection with two fires at his mobile home. Hickey allegedly used old photos of his home taken before it was damaged by the first fire to apply for new insurance. He then submitted a claim for the second fire allegedly based on the fraudulent application. If convicted on the charges, he faces up to five years in prison on each charge in addition to restitution and possible fines.
Investigators said that in late 2005 the Coconut Creek mobile home park where Hickey's home was located was being sold and that the mobile homes had been ordered vacated from the park.
On Dec. 26, 2005, a fire occurred at Hickey's mobile home and caused extensive damage. Hickey filed an insurance claim with Citizens Insurance Company. After the first fire, Hickey again insured the mobile home and told the new insurance agent that there was no damage and allegedly presented old photographs showing an undamaged mobile home. On Jan. 15, 2006, the mobile home had a second fire, and Hickey submitted a second insurance claim to Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
