L.D.W.F. Agents Charge Metairie Man With Insurance Fraud

BATON ROUGE, La., Dec. 28 -- The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issued the following news release:

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division strike force agents charged a Metairie man on Dec. 23 for alleged theft by insurance fraud, filing a false application and injuring public records.

LDWF agents assigned to the southern strike force charged Bryan M. Miguez, 49, of Metairie, for insurance fraud after a joint investigation with the National Insurance Crime Bureau and Progressive Insurance Company.

Miguez accepted a payment from the Progressive Insurance Company for his boat, which Miguez claimed was lost during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In early 2010, Miguez contacted Progressive Insurance Company claiming to have recently found the boat. However, investigators found that Miguez had been in possession of the boat since early 2006.

If convicted of theft by insurance fraud, Miguez could face imprisonment for up to 10 years, or a fine up to $3,000 or both. For filing a false application, Miguez could be ordered to pay a $500 fine, or sentenced for up to 90 days in jail or both. If convicted of Injuring Public Records, Miguez could be sentenced to up to five years in jail, or a fine up to $5,000 or both.

Agents involved in the case are Lt. Joseph Arnaud, Sgt. Todd Laviolette and Agent Ronnie Engelhard.

For more information, contact Adam Einck at [email protected].

TNS rd43-JF78 101229-3165926 StaffFurigay