Texas Attorney Sentenced for Insurance Fraud Involving Hail Claims

A former Texas attorney is headed to prison on charges of insurance fraud and barratry for a scheme involving fraudulent lawsuits filed after hail storms, the Texas Department of Insurance announced.

A Tarrant County judge sentenced R. Kent Livesay to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the crimes.

A TDI investigation led to the charges against Livesay, who at one time had offices in McAllen and Arlington. Investigators found multiple cases where Livesay had filed lawsuits against insurance companies over roof claims following storms without the homeowners’ knowledge or consent, according to TDI’s announcement.

Along with the prison time, Livesay agreed to pay restitution to victims and testify against other participants in the scheme. Livesay also had to surrender his law license.

The case was prosecuted by Tarrant County Assistant Criminal District Attorney Matt Smid.

Tarrant County is one of six locations around the state where TDI has embedded prosecutors and investigators in district attorneys’ offices focused on fighting insurance fraud.

TDI investigators are certified peace officers and work closely with law enforcement statewide.