Cumberland County Bail Bondsman Accused of Working with Inmate to Solicit Bonds

RALEIGH, N.C., June 27 -- The North Carolina Department of Insurance issued the following news release:

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced the arrests of Rainey Hope Crosby, 36, of 511 S. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville; and Brunhilde B. Ross, 53, of 195 N. Reily Road, Fayetteville.

Crosby was charged with one count of acting as a bail bondsman without a license and one count of solicitation of bail bonds. Ross was charged with one count of aiding and abetting an unlicensed bail bondsman and one count of aiding and abetting the solicitation of bail bonds.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators allege that between April 4 and May 2, while incarcerated in the Cumberland County Jail, Crosby gathered names, criminal charge information and bond amounts from other inmates and referred the information to Ross, a licensed bail bondsman. NCDOI opened its investigation upon receiving a tip from the Cumberland County Jail administration.

Ross and Crosby were arrested in Cumberland County on June 25; each was placed under a $2,000 unsecured bond.

The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn state law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating and prosecuting claims of insurance and bail bonding fraud. Since Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin took office in 2009, criminal investigators have received more than 14,000 complaints, resulting in 602 arrests, 333 criminal convictions and more than 110 pending court cases. These efforts have delivered more than $48.5 million in restitution and recoveries for victims.

An estimated 10 cents of every dollar paid in premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims. To report suspected fraud, contact the Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.com.

TNS hc1-120628-JF78-3929578 StaffFurigay