CDI Arrests, Charges Two in Felony Fraud Case
John Lee Sullivan, 50, of Applegate, Calif. and Debra Michell Sprigg, 42, of Sacramento were arrested and charged with two counts of felony insurance fraud.
According to California Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Branch’s Fraud Division investigators, Sprigg’s pickup truck was parked in front of her home when it was struck by another vehicle. Inside the bed of the truck was a sprint car chassis. Sprigg alleged the sprint car chassis was damaged in the collision.
Sprigg reportedly submitted an invoice to Farmer’s Insurance identifying the chassis as a 1999 John Boy model valued at approximately $1,900. Sullivan, the owner of J B Racing Components, reportedly supplied the invoice.
The investigation revealed the invoice that Sprigg presented to Farmers Insurance was fraudulent. The sprint car chassis was in fact a 1985 model of little or no value. Sprigg later allegedly admitted to investigators that she obtained the invoice from Sullivan in order to increase her insurance settlement. Sullivan also reportedly admitted to investigators that he produced the invoice at the request of Sprigg and that the items listed on the invoice were not purchased from his business.
If convicted, Sullivan and Sprigg could face up to five years in state prison and/or a maximum fine of $50,000.