July 24, 2019
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Two Spokane-area residents were charged with crimes after investigations by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU).
Daniel Acevedo was charged in Spokane County Superior Court with one count of filing a false insurance claim, attempted first-degree theft, second-degree theft and false reporting.
According to the investigation, Acevedo reported his 2012 Subaru Forester stolen on April 21, 2018, to Progressive Insurance. He filed a report with Spokane County Sheriff’s Office stating the vehicle was stolen on April 22, 2018. Progressive found records showing the car was towed to an auto repair shop on April 9 and diagnosed with engine failure. Progressive denied the claim and referred the case to Kreidler’s detectives.
Maria E. Cullooyah was charged in the Tribal Court for the Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Indian Reservation of Washington with fraud and obstruction of justice.
According to the investigation, Cullooyah added a Ford F150 to her Progressive auto policy on Feb. 2, 2018, and filed a claim three days later for damage to the truck caused by a hit-and-run driver. Records showed she reported the hit-and-run to Spokane Tribal police on Feb. 2 and State Farm reported a claim for one of its insured drivers for the hit-and-run on Feb. 2. Progressive denied the claim and referred the case to Kreidler’s detectives.
Kreidler’s CIU investigates insurance fraud and works with the 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.