This Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

Following a 14-month investigation by the CDI Criminal Investigations Branch, four Southern California residents were arraigned in Los Angeles Superior Court. Lynnette Ammons, 37, of Inglewood; Anthony Graham Jr., 21, of Inglewood; Vita McNair, 44, of Los Angeles; and Devorea Wilson, 21, of Redlands; were all charged with two counts of insurance fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.

According to investigators, Ammons filed a claim with Coast National Insurance Company for an alleged hit-and-run traffic collision she was involved in while driving her Toyota Celica in August 1998. She and her passengers were compensated for injuries sustained in the accident. Investigators claim that Ammons later reported to Coast National that she was involved in another traffic collision on Feb. 26, 1999, while driving the same vehicle.

The other vehicle’s driver, Wilson, who allegedly collided with the rear-end of the Toyota Celica, was identified and interviewed by Coast National and claimed that he collided with Ammons’ car. According to investigators, Wilson also submitted a claim for the alleged February collision to his insurance company, Reliant General.

Investigators learned that Wilson had a collision Feb. 1, 1999, while driving his vehicle that resulted in the same damage he had claimed in the subsequent and alleged Feb. 26, 1999, collision with Ammons. Insurance company inspection photographs from one collision to the next showed no change in damage. A Los Angeles Police Department collision reconstruction expert confirmed the alleged collision between Ammons’ vehicle and Wilson’s vehicle never occurred. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

Topics Auto