Fraud of the Week

Arson – Washington

Amount – $195,000+

A business owner admitted to setting fire to her business in order to use the funds from the insurance company to catch up on rent payments. Her insurance policy carried up to $100,000 in business personal property as well as loss of income. She set a fire underneath paintings that were worth thousands of dollars. She made false statements to law enforcement and the insurance company in attempts to defraud the insurance company. As part of her plea deal, she is to make full restitution, which is currently at $195,000 but may increase as losses are still being calculated.