North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Hunter Jacob Priest, 28, of 5223 Meadowbrook Drive, New Bern. Priest was charged with insurance fraud, a felony.
Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Priest of providing a false statement to Geico Insurance regarding his involvement in a wreck Nov. 14, 2019, in Morehead City.
The offense occurred between Nov. 22, 2019, and Nov. 27, 2019.
Special Agents, along with Salisbury police, arrested Priest on June 22. His bond was set at $1,000 secured.
Commissioner Causey estimates fraud costs North Carolinians between 15 and 20 cents on every dollar paid on insurance premiums, maybe more. That’s why he has cracked down on this white-collar crime by boosting the NCDOI Criminal Investigations Division.
Over the past two years, CID Special Agents recovered $7.5 million in criminal activities – money that was returned to consumers and insurance companies. The restitution also helps preserve insurance rates.
To report suspected fraud, contact the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.