News: 2008 Press Release

SACRAMENTO ― Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today announced the arrests of two Folsom men in connection with arson and insurance fraud. Donald Walker, 21, turned himself in on May 15, and was booked into the Sacramento County Jail. Walker was charged with two felonies including insurance fraud and arson. Jeff Carter, 22, was arrested on May 16 at his Folsom residence, and booked into the Sacramento County Jail. Carter was charged with five felonies including insurance fraud, arson and perjury. Each of the men may face up to five years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.

"Fraud perpetrators harm every single man, woman and child in this state by causing insurance rates to increase," said Commissioner Poizner. "Department of Insurance investigators will continue to make sure that criminals do not get away with their schemes."

On April 22, 2007, Carter's 1995 Chevy truck was recovered burned in El Dorado Hills. Carter claimed that he had loaned his vehicle to Walker, who Carter claimed was an acquaintance he had met on April 21, 2007. Later, during an under oath examination, Carter denied allowing Walker to borrow his truck. Carter reported his vehicle stolen on April 23, 2007, the day after the charred truck was recovered. He also filed a claim with his insurer after reporting his vehicle stolen.

The California Department of Insurance Fraud Division investigation revealed that Walker and Carter allegedly conspired to burn Carter's vehicle in order to collect $30,000 in insurance benefits.

The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office is prosecuting this case.