$500 for ‘cleanup’? Charlotte towing company’s fees count as fraud, state says
The manager of a Charlotte towing company is facing fraud accusations after an investigation determined unwarranted fees were added an invoice, according to the N.C. Department of Insurance Fraud Control Group.
Read more I tried a Charlotte restaurant Guy Fieri called ‘fantastic’. What I got for $25
Antonio Lorenzo Covington, 32, was unable to explain the extra charges, despite being at the scene when the vehicle was loaded and towed, court documents report.
“Covington, general manager of Tow Godz, reportedly submitted a $4,250 fraudulent towing invoice to Peak Property and Casualty Insurance Corp.,” NCDOI officials said in a July 28 news release.
“The claim’s fraudulent charges included a $500 ‘clean up’ fee and a $750 ‘special equipment’ fee. Surveillance videos and witness statements indicated that no clean up or special equipment was used during the vehicle recovery.”
Read more NC native Ayesha Curry will star in a new movie. What we know
Covington was arrested July 21 and charged with felony insurance fraud and felony obtaining property by false pretense, officials said. His next court appearance is Aug. 11, officials said.
The invoice was submitted in March, court records show.
“Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime,” N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said in the news release. “It hits all of us in the pocket through higher premiums.”
Read more 5-mile path of destruction is found near I-40 in NC after storm. What caused it?
