February 1, 2019
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Three Pierce County residents were charged with crimes related to insurance fraud in Pierce County Superior Court after investigations by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU). All three were charged by the Washington state Attorney General’s Office and are scheduled to appear for arraignments on Feb. 8.
Former insurance agent Abu Ameena Ward, of Lakewood, was charged with one count of first-degree theft. According to the investigation, Ward illegally collected more than $32,904 in commissions from Farmer’s Insurance after writing 51 fake renter’s insurance policies from December 2013 until January 2016. Ward became licensed to sell insurance in 2012 and Kreidler revoked his license in November 2017. Farmer’s terminated Ward’s employment in June 2016 for writing the questionable policies.
Former insurance agent Lilibeth Brulotte, of Gig Harbor, was charged with second-degree theft. According to the investigation, Brulotte wrote comprehensive-only auto insurance policies for fake vehicles on existing Farmer’s Insurance policies from February 2013 through October 2015. She wrote the policies to give clients a multi-car discount. She collected $4,668 in payments and caused $3,420 in lost premiums to Farmers, for a total loss of $8,088. Brulotte became licensed to sell insurance in 2012 and Kreidler revoked her license in 2017.
Jamar E. Glenn, of Tacoma, was charged with one count of filing a false insurance claim. According to the investigation, Glenn filed a $5,795 claim with Progressive Insurance on March 6, 2017, stating that his 2006 Nissan Maxima had been stolen. The next day, law enforcement found the car at a different residence. Progressive’s investigators found a record that Glenn paid to have the car towed there. The insurer denied the claim and referred the case to Kreidler’s investigators, as required by state law.
Kreidler’s CIU investigates insurance fraud and works with Washington State Patrol and state and local prosecutors on criminal cases. Insurance fraud costs the average family $400 to $700 per year in increased premiums. Insurance companies are required by law to report fraud to the commissioner.
Consumers can report suspected insurance fraud on the insurance commissioner’s website.