A deputy with the sheriff’s office in Orange County, Fla., has been arrested after he allegedly filed a false and fraudulent automobile insurance claim with GEICO Insurance Co., according to a statement from the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS).
Fraud investigators with DFS revealed that on July 6, 2018, Wadih Ojeil struck a deer with his 2012 Ford Mustang, causing damage to his personal vehicle. After the incident, Ojeil contacted his insurance company to add comprehensive coverage to his existing automotive policy. He did not report any existing damage when he added the comprehensive coverage and specifically asked GEICO if the added insurance covered deer collision. The new coverage did not go into effect until July 9, three days after the incident.
Once the coverage went into effect, Ojeil contacted GEICO to file a claim for $2,230 on July 10, claiming he hit a deer causing damage to his vehicle.
During a recorded interview with fraud detectives, Ojeil admitted he filed a fraudulent insurance claim and that he added comprehensive coverage to his policy, knowing the vehicle had already been damaged.
“Not only is filing false insurance claims illegal, but it drives up insurance rates for hardworking Floridians. This deputy swore to uphold and protect the law, but instead he committed fraud for personal gain,” CFO Jimmy Patronis said.
Ojeil was arrested on Feb. 15, 2019, and booked into the Orange County Jail. He was charged with filing a false and fraudulent insurance claim. If convicted, Ojeil faces up to 5 years in prison.
Source: Florida Department of Financial Services
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