Cayce Man Arrested in Insurance Fraud Case

Cayce Man Arrested in Insurance Fraud Case

U.S. Attorney's OfficeFebruary 23, 2012

*District of South Carolina (803) 929-3000

Gerald B. Hardin, age 34, of Cayce, has been arrested on charges contained in a six-count indictment that alleges that Hardin and two other people committed mail fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341. At the time of the incident, Hardin lived in the Sumter, South Carolina, area. The maximum penalty Hardin could receive on each count is 20 years' imprisonment and $250,000 in fines. Hardin made his initial appearance in federal court on February 21, 2012. He is currently being held on a $100,000 bond.

The indictment alleges that in May 2008, Hardin and another person used a pole saw to intentionally cut off the hand of the third participant in the scheme. A pole saw is a small chain saw that is attached to the end of a pole, and it is used to trim tree branches. Neither the other person who helped or the person whose hand was severed are identified in the indictment. The three participants then submitted claims against a homeowner's insurance policy and three accidental death and dismemberment policies and received over $671,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Dean A. Eichelberger of the Columbia office for prosecution.