PHOTOS: Local suspects among Pa. insurance fraud arrests
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A total of 15 people have been arrested across Pennsylvania for insurance fraud, and some of the suspects from our area.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office said the unrelated cases were filed within the past few weeks after investigations by the Insurance Fraud Section.
Two of the suspects are from Philadelphia, one is from Montgomery County and one is from Lehigh County:
PHOTOS: Suspects in insurance fraud cases
-Kim Simone, 47, of Ogontz Avenue in Philadelphia is accused of staging a fall at a Philadelphia Walmart, saying she was injured after slipping on a puddle of water. Investigators say her story was contradicted by surveillance video and a store employee's assertion there was no liquid on the floor at that time.
She is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception.
-Michael Thompson, 34, of Knorr Street in Philadelphia, is accused of filing a claim, stating his vehicle was damaged by vandalism. However, investigators say the car was actually damaged before he bought it.
He is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception.
-Danielle Michels, 26, of Willow Drive in Levittown, Montgomery County, is accused of buying an insurance policy after her boyfriend damaged her vehicle in an accident. Investigators say Michels then submitted a claim after buying the policy.
She is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and theft by deception.
-Amber Barnes, 30, of Blue Mountain Drive in Danielsville, Lehigh County is accused of reinstating a previous insurance policy after getting into an accident and submitting a claim.
She is charged with two counts of insurance fraud and one count of criminal attempt to commit theft by deception.
The other suspects are identified as:
-Carrie L. Baginski, 42, of Trotter Lane, Clinton, Allegheny County, is accused of submitting a claim for a lengthy hotel stay while she was out of her home while cleaning crews removed the odor of a neighbor who died, but wasn't discovered for a week. However, investigators say she submitted a claim for a hotel that did not exist.
She is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, forgery and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception.
-Amber Ann Loutzenhiser, 27, of Northview Circle, Beaver, Lawrence County, is a nurse accused of billing patients' insurance companies for painkillers for her own use.
She is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and violation of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.
-Adam Franklin Lung, 23, of Coal Run Road, Boynton, Somerset County, is accused of buying collision insurance for his car after being involved in an accident and making a claim one hour after buying the policy.
He is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception.
-Joanna M. Hendryx, 31, of Olean Road, Derrick City, McKean County, is accused of buying an insurance policy after hitting a deer, then submitting a claim.
She is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception.
-John D. Leali, 52, of N. Oakland Ave., Sharon, Mercer County, is charged with two counts of insurance fraud and one count of theft by deception, and Leaha M. Taylor, 42, of Emerson Ave., Farrell, Mercer County, is charged with three counts of insurance fraud and one count of theft by deception for a false auto insurance claim.
-Jacqueline R. Cunningham, 32, of Perry Road, Perryopolis, Fayette County, is accused of buying a new insurance policy for her car after being in an accident, then submitting a claim.
She is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and theft by deception.
-Joshua J. Verner, 35, of Ambridge, Beaver County, is accused of buying an insurance policy for his car after he was in a crash involving a deer, then submitting a claim.
-Bonifacio Hernandez, 52, of Water St., Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, is accused of submitting forged receipts after claiming $14,000 worth of items were stolen from his home.
He is charged with 12 counts of forgery and one count each of insurance fraud and theft by deception.
-Amy Sue Millward, 36, of Cranberry Point, Cranberry, Butler County, is accused of buying insurance policies for her car after being involved in an accident, then submitting a claim.
She is charged with two counts each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception.
-Brian Buchko, 55, of Locust St., in Ebensburg, Cambria County, is accused of buying an insurance policy after being involved in a crash, then submitting a claim.
He is charged with two counts of insurance fraud and one count of criminal attempt to commit theft by deception.
He is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception.
