North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Ronnie Bernard Truesdale, 41, of 1920 Boaz Road, Raleigh. Truesdale was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, a felony.
Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Truesdale of providing a manipulated image to Zurich North America, an insurer for McDonald’s Restaurants, to show that there was a hair in his burger.
According to the arrest warrant, the hair was placed on the burger after the wrapper was removed. In addition, the warrant says, Truesdale claimed consuming the burger containing the hair caused him to become nauseous.
Truesdale filed a claim for pain and suffering damages as well as $1,595.90 in medical expenses paid to Wake Medical Center, according to the warrant.
The offenses occurred between Oct. 15, 2020, and March 16, 2021.
Special agents and Wake County deputies arrested Truesdale on Nov. 15. He was given a $10,000 secured bond.
“Insurance fraud hurts consumers,” Commissioner Causey said. “Approximately 20% of your insurance premium goes to cover the cost of fraud. That’s why I’m aggressively pursuing and prosecuting insurance fraud in North Carolina.”
If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may report fraud anonymously by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.