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Benicia man sentenced to 11 years for felony auto fraud

News: 2018 Press Release

For Release: September 19, 2018
Media Calls Only: 916-492-3566
Email Inquiries: cdipress@insurance.ca.gov

Benicia man sentenced to 11 years for felony auto fraud

FAIRFIELD, Calif. — Lamont Jarome James, 34, of Benicia was sentenced to 11 years in state prison for felony auto insurance fraud.

"By continuing to work with our law enforcement partners like the Solano County District Attorney's Office, we hope to send a deterrent message to individuals who think they can game the system after shirking their financial responsibility," said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. "Every consumer pays for insurance fraud when insurers pass along these losses through higher premiums."

James was involved in an auto accident when he rear-ended another vehicle. At the time of the accident, James did not have auto insurance. Later that day James contacted Sentry Insurance to obtain coverage for his vehicle. He then filed a claim the next day, falsely stating the accident occurred after he purchased insurance.

The fraud was discovered when Sentry contacted the other driver involved in the accident. Sentry denied the claim and referred the case to the department. During the course of the investigation department investigators discovered James had contacted the other driver involved in the accident and asked them to participate in the fraud, to which the other driver refused.  

James was arrested March 28, 2017 and was booked into Solano County Jail. This case was prosecuted by the Solano County District Attorney's Office.

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Media Note:



Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.

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