STATE PATROL VETERAN HIRED FOR ANTI-FRAUD HIT

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has appointed a veteran of the State Patrol to manage the agency’s newly authorized insurance anti-fraud program.

Capt. Robert Veliz of Yakima, a 26-year veteran of the State Patrol, will head the special unit that is charged with protecting the public and the state’s economy from insurance fraud. Veliz, who is retiring from the State Patrol to assume the new position, most recently was assigned as WSP’s Commander for District 3 (Southeastern Washington) headquartered in Yakima.

The Legislature approved the anti-fraud unit last session after Kreidler testified that Washington, one of the few remaining states in the nation without a fraud program, was becoming more attractive to insurance scammers and organized fraud rings.