Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck announced yesterday that he is suspending himself from office. This means he will be absent from making decisions with regard to the daily operations of the Department of Insurance. In his absence, Chief Deputy Insurance Commissioner Drew Lane will perform the duties of the Insurance Commissioner as provided for by […]
Georgia Insurance Commissioner Indicted for $2 Million Fraud Scheme
Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim C. Beck was indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday on charges of wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering. The 38-count indictment alleges that Beck stole more than $2,000,000 from his former employer, the Georgia Underwriting Association, during the five years just prior to Beck’s election to statewide office in […]
Pennsylvania Collision Repair Center Fined Over $35,000 for Overtime Violations
After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Leschak Automotive Inc., an automotive service and collision repair facility based in West Mifflin, Pa., has paid $15,445 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 10 employees to resolve violations of federal overtime rules. WHD also assessed […]
Total Loss Valuation Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Allstate and CCC in Alabama
Suit alleges auto insurer undervalues total loss claims using CCC’s software. In a Federal Class Action lawsuit filed in Alabama on Wednesday, plaintiffs allege that Allstate Insurance systemically undervalues automobile total loss claims using CCC ONE Market Valuation Reports. The complaint alleges that Allstate and CCC have engaged in a scheme to artificially deflate the […]
GEICO Files Second Federal RICO lawsuit in Arizona Against Auto Glass Repairer Alleging $650,000 Fraud
Lawsuit alleges auto glass firm forged customer signatures and falsified invoices from auto dealers for glass purchases. GEICO has filed a federal lawsuit in Arizona against a second auto glass repair shop the insurers alleges submitted fraudulent glass repair bills. The case, Government Employees Insurance Company, et al. v. Advantage Auto Glass, LLC, et. al., […]
Arkansas Dealer to Pay $27,000 to Settle EEOC Disability Discrimination Lawsuit
Federal agency charged Crain Automotive Holdings denied employee an accommodation for anxiety and depression, then fired her. Crain Automotive Holdings, Inc., an automotive dealer with over 20 locations and three collision repair centers in Arkansas, will pay $27,100 to a former employee as part of the settlement of a disability discrimination lawsuit brought by the […]
Pennsylvania Supreme Court to Address Insurer Duty for Proper Collision Repairs
State Supreme Court grants plaintiffs appeal in $21 million bad faith case against Nationwide Insurance that was overturned. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on March 29 agreed to hear a plaintiffs appeal of the overturning of a $21 million bad faith judgement against Nationwide Mutual Insurance dating back to a 1996 accident and subsequent collision repair. […]
Massachusetts Multiple Collision Repair Shop Owner Charged in $170,000 Insurance Fraud Case
Attorney General alleges shop operator intentionally damaged vehicles to increase insurance payments. The owner of two collision repair shops in Massachusetts has been indicted in connection with a motor vehicle fraud scheme in which he allegedly intentionally damaged vehicles and stole more than $170,000 from 11 different insurance companies, Attorney General Maura Healey announced April […]
GEICO Files RICO Lawsuit Against Arizona Glass Repair Shop
Insurer alleges facility forged customer signatures, charged for ADAS recalibrations not performed. Alleges $1.9 million in damages across more than 2,800 claims. GEICO has filed a federal lawsuit in Arizona, Government Employees Insurance Company, et al. v. A & E Solheim, LLC, d/b/a A & E Auto Glass, et. al., against the auto glass repair […]
Texas Collision Repair Shop Owner Sentenced for Insurance Fraud
Repair facility operator pleaded guilty to first-degree felony, ordered to repay more than $76,000. A Travis County, Texas collision repair shop owner was sentenced to 10 years of probation after Texas Department of Insurance investigators found he had reported accidents that never took place and intentionally damaged vehicles to increase insurance payouts for repairs. The […]