Central Valley alleged fraudster arraigned for $50,000 insurance scheme
News: 2020 Press Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Robert Pratt, 55, was arraigned on multiple felony counts of insurance fraud, forgery, and grand theft after allegedly falsifying insurance claims to receive over $50,000 in payouts he was not entitled to receive.
An investigation by the Department of Insurance revealed Pratt filed three separate claims with AFLAC and Colonial Life Insurance claiming to have been injured after falling from a bike and later falling while waterskiing. Pratt filed continuing disability claim forms associated with those two accidents, some containing forged signatures, affirming his injuries and furthering his schemes. Pratt was paid $47,199 by AFLAC and $5,705 by Colonial Life Insurance based on his fraudulent insurance claims.
Pratt was arraigned in Kern County Superior Court on June 18, 2020, after he was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport. The Kern County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.
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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.
