Georgia Lawnmower Man Wanted on Charges of Filing False Claim on ‘Stolen’ Mower

Georgia authorities were searching for an Atlanta-area landscaper who has been charged with falsely claiming that one of his commercial-grade lawnmowers had been stolen, then collecting $19,000 from his insurance company.

It turns out that Bryan Gatlin, 57, owner of Atlanta Lawn Co., is wanted in connection with at least eight other fraudulent insurance claims on supposedly stolen lawnmowers, Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King said in a bulletin late last week.

“In addition to submitting forged documents, the suspect used several false aliases when filing the claims,” King said. “In total, thefts connected to the suspect reached approximately $148,000 in insurance payments.”

One of the allegedly fraudulent claims came in 2019. Gatlin reported to the Gwinnett County Police and Main Street Assurance Co. that the equipment was stolen. He soon received a payment from the insurer. But after an investigation, authorities determined that Gatlin should be charged with fraud, King said.

A warrant for Gatlin’s arrest was issued Dec. 5. As of Dec. 24, he remained on the lam.