Philadelphia Business Owner Gets 16 Years in Prison for Insurance Fraud Scheme
A man who owned an auto repair shop in Philadelphia was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for his attempt to collect on an insurance policy after setting fire to his business.
This stiff sentence for a case in which no one suffered any physical injuries was surprising to many people. In many people's minds, criminals can be divided into two categories. In the first, criminals operate almost exclusively in a criminal setting, with little or no legal operations. If they're convicted of a crime, they are perceived as being punished harshly.
In the second, criminals operate legitimate businesses. If they break the law, they are viewed as generally law-abiding citizens who made a "mistake". If they're convicted of a crime, they are perceived as being punished lightly.
The case of the repair shop owner, however, illustrates that this perception is absolutely wrong. White collar criminals receive much longer prison sentences than violent criminals in many cases.
In a difficult economy, fraud schemes and white collar, non-violent crime are on the rise. People find themselves involved in activity which they believe can only result in a ”slap on the wrist” if they are discovered. Nothing could be further from the truth.
If you suspect that you or someone you know are a target of an insurance fraud investigation you should immediately contact a lawyer who has experience with fraud investigations and criminal defense. Michael Parkinson, Timothy Tarpey, and James Lloyd are criminal defense attorneys and former Philadelphia Assistant District Attorneys with more than 30 years experience who have handled thousands of criminal cases. Tim Tarpey and Jim Lloyd are also Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE). You can ask our Philadelphia criminal defense attorneys questions about your case in person, for free, and with no obligation. Talk to an experienced attorney before you speak to an insurance company or law enforcement officer.
Talk to an experienced attorney to learn about your rights and defend them in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, and Delaware Counties. Call us at (215) 352-3432.