CDI Makes Progress in Fraud Cases

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) Fraud Division announced recent developments in these cases:

* ORANGE COUNTY, CA – On March 20, 2003, Sheila Nicholson, 29, was arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail on four counts of grand theft, nine counts of insurance fraud, and one count of conspiracy. On March 10, 2003, Cory Weaver, 39, Nicholson’s fiance, was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada and extradited to California on one count of grand theft, one count of insurance fraud, and one count of conspiracy.

Nicholson, while employed as a claims adjuster at SAFECO Insurance Company and out on a worker’ comp injury, allegedly committed fraud by working full time as an adjuster for Sierra Insurance Group. Nicholson also worked for GAB Robins, a third party administrator, while out on workers’ comp. The investigation also revealed Nicholson and Weaver conspired to embezzle $94,706 from GAB Robins. Nicholson’s total fraudulent activity exceeds $116, 000. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

* PITTSBURG, CA – On March 26, 2003, Clennis Snyder, 46, of Pittsburg, was arrested on one felony count of filing a false automobile insurance claim for injuries allegedly sustained as a passenger in a car involved in a collision.

An investigation revealed that Snyder was not inside the car at the time of the accident. He was booked into the Contra Costa County Main Jail. The case is being prosecuted by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.