North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Sherita Lyvette Battle, 36, of 1012 Long Ave., Rocky Mount. Battle was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies.
Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Battle of trying to obtain $2,296.90 in insurance claims payments from Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. by falsely claiming she was the victim of a hit-and-run automobile collision. Agents report she was, in fact, the driver who left the scene and failed to report the wreck.
The offenses occurred between July 28 and Nov. 2.
Battle was arrested on Nov. 25.
Commissioner Causey estimates fraud costs North Carolinians nearly 20 cents on every dollar paid on insurance premiums. 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 damages – 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.