North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of four people accused of staging an auto accident in the Greensboro area and then falsely claiming that they were injured in the staged wreck to collect insurance claims.
Clarence Gilbert Powell, 73, of 1308 Ardmore Drive, Greensboro; Tonya Lashon Starks, 49, of 825 Ross, Ave., Greensboro; Ashley N. Alexander, 28, of 10-H Huntley Court, Greensboro; and Ciara Marie Williams-Nash, 23, of 808-C Marsh St., Greensboro, were each charged with felony insurance fraud and felony conspiracy to commit insurance fraud.
Special agents with the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division accuse the four of using a U-Haul truck to stage an accident and report that they had been injured in the accident. The four are also accused of conspiring to defraud Repwest Insurance Co., the insurer of U-Haul rentals, according to the warrants.
The offense occurred on Nov. 9, 2017. They were arrested in Guilford County on May 21 and 22. Starks was placed under a $1,000 secured bond. The other three were released on a written promise to appear in court.
Insurance fraud costs American consumers approximately $80 billion dollars a year. According to Commissioner Causey, fraud costs North Carolinians between 15 and 20 cents of every dollar paid on insurance premiums -- and it’s getting worse.
“I am determined to stem the tide of insurance fraud in this state in order to save residents money,” said Commissioner Causey. “That’s why I am dedicated to the mission of our NCDOI law enforcement officers who investigate and prosecute claims of insurance and bail bonding fraud.”
To report suspected fraud, contact the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigation Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov/fraud-control.