California Woman Arrested for Auto Insurance Fraud

California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi announced the arrest of Charleen Smith, 37, for automobile insurance fraud after an investigation by the California Department of Insurance (CDI).

Smith, who was involved in a hit and run auto collision in November, 2004, was charged with four felony counts of filing a fraudulent insurance claim and three felony counts of submitting altered and misleading receipts. She was booked into the San Mateo County Jail on $20,000 bail.

According to CDI investigators, on November 18, 2004, Smith was involved in a hit and run automobile collision and her vehicle was deemed a total loss. She then filed an uninsured motorist claim with the California State Automobile Association (CSAA). On December 8, 2004, Smith allegedly submitted altered vehicle repair receipts and misleading receipts for items that were not on her vehicle.

CSAA did not pay out any money on the fraud portion of this claim. The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.