North Carolina Department of Insurance makes 2 arrests for insurance fraud

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Joshua Hall, 42, of 2001 Woodtop Court, Charlotte. Hall was charged with insurance fraud, a felony.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Hall of submitting a false report in an automobile insurance claim to Garrison Property and Casualty Insurance Co.

According to the arrest warrant, Hall, who said his vehicle rims had been stolen in Florida, provided pictures of rims that did not belong to him. The offense occurred on Oct. 14, 2023.

Mecklenburg County deputies arrested Hall on Dec. 11. He was given a $10,000 unsecured bond and set to appear in Mecklenburg County District Court on Dec. 12.

Commissioner Causey encourages North Carolinians to help keep insurance premiums low by reporting suspicious fraud.

“Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime,” Commissioner Causey said. “It hits all of us in the pocket through higher premiums.”

Causey also announced the arrest of John Pernell Spruill, 50, of 389 Porch St., Gaston. Spruill was charged with insurance fraud, a felony.

According to special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division, Spruill told State Farm an automobile accident occurred later than it originally occurred in order to try to get coverage for a claim on his auto insurance. The offense occurred on May 30.

Spruill was served warrants on Nov. 19 and released on a $5,000 unsecured bond. He appeared in Northampton County District Court on Dec. 19.

“Insurance fraud hits consumers in the wallet,” Commissioner Causey said. “Approximately 20 cents of every insurance premium dollar go to covering the cost of fraud. I’m fighting this by aggressively pursuing and prosecuting insurance fraud in North Carolina.”