(DES MOINES, Iowa) Two northeast Iowa men have been sentenced to two years of supervised probation, after pleading guilty in Delaware County District Court to Third-Degree insurance fraud, an Aggravated Misdemeanor.
Sixty-nine-year old Richard Hartman had been accused of filing a fraudulent insurance claim with Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance seeking fund to cover damage caused when he struck his son Tobin's cattle barn with a skid loader, causing the building to collapse.
Investigators say Tobin Hartman gave false statements to the insurance company, support his father's version of the events. The cost to replace the building was $240,000, which the Hartmans were ultimately unsuccessful in getting.
“Insurance companies work hard to identify suspected fraudulent insurance claims and they play a very important role in deterring insurance fraud by denying claims such as this,” Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said. “Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime and we will continue to help ensure those attempting to commit insurance fraud are held accountable.”
Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-242-5304.