News: 2010 Press Release

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced today the arrests of two suspects for automobile insurance fraud. Maria Valle, 40, and her son, Edgar Valle, 20, both of San Jose, were charged with felony insurance fraud and booked at the Santa Clara County Jail on $35,000 bail each. Edgar Valle was also charged with felony hit and run. Maria was arrested on April 14. Edgar was arrested on April 11.

"Fabricating stories to cover up an auto accident is wrong, illegal and get you a ticket to jail," said Commissioner Poizner. "Think twice before filing a false police report or lying to your insurance company. If you commit auto insurance fraud, you will get caught."

An investigation conducted by the Urban Organized Insurance Fraud Task Force revealed that on October 11, 2008, a single vehicle traffic accident occurred on Jacklin Rd. in Milpitas. Edgar Valle was allegedly driving a vehicle with several passengers inside, that rolled onto its side. One passenger was injured in the accident. Edgar and the passengers allegedly fled the scene of the accident when the police were called. The injured passenger was later detained and questioned by the police. After the accident, Maria Valle allegedly drove from her East San Jose home to Milpitas to pick up Edgar. The next morning, Maria reported her vehicle stolen to the police and filed a stolen vehicle claim with her insurance carrier.

Maria Valle allegedly made material misrepresentations to the Milpitas Police Officer who was investigating the traffic accident, and to her insurance carrier when she filed an insurance claim, by stating that Edgar was at home with her at the time the vehicle was stolen and during the time that her vehicle was involved in the accident. Edgar was also charged with insurance fraud, as well as felony hit and run.

The Urban Organized Automobile Fraud Insurance Task Force is comprised of investigators from the CDI, California Highway Patrol, and Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.

The case is being prosecuted by the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.

Commissioner Poizner oversees sixteen CDI Enforcement Branch regional offices throughout the state. Nearly 2,800 insurance fraud-related arrests have been made by CDI since Commissioner Poizner took office in 2007 - more arrests than have been made during any other three year period, under any previous insurance commissioner.