North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Ronnie Ray Perry, 64, of 1413 E. Third St., Winston Salem. Perry was charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies.
Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Perry of obtaining $22,443.76 from State Farm Insurance Co. for a kitchen fire that did not occur.
According to the arrest warrant, Perry provided fraudulent documents to support his renters’ policy claim.
Perry was arrested in Forysth County on Oct. 21. He was released under a $5,000 secured bond and is due in Forsyth County District Court on Nov. 10.
“Insurance fraud hits consumers in the wallet,” Commissioner Causey said. “Approximately 20 cents of every insurance premium dollar go to covering the cost of fraud. I’m fighting this by aggressively pursuing and prosecuting insurance fraud in North Carolina.”
If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840.
Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.