Allianz Employee Sentenced To 27 Months For Fraud

May 23--ST. LOUIS -- A former claims adjuster for Allianz insurance company in O'Fallon was sentenced Thursday to 27 months in federal prison for defrauding the company of more than $400,000 that he diverted to himself.

Brian Behl pleaded guilty in February to mail fraud. After he serves his time, he will be under three years of supervised release.

Federal prosecutors said Behl worked for Allianz for about 10 years until Sept 2012, and the scheme occurred during the final 18 months.

Allianz, also known as Fireman's Fund, provided insurance coverage to companies whose employees were relocating for work. Sometimes when employees filed claims, the salvage company that provided an estimate of the damaged property would pay the employee directly and then Allianz would reimburse them.

Prosecutors said Behl set up a fictitious company called B&M Salvage Repair and registered a post office box in Illinois in its name, then sent more than $400,000 in supposed reimbursement checks to it, which he then used for personal items such as a car and a motorcycle.

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