Boyden man placed on probation for insurance fraud

ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- The second of two Sioux County men charged together with committing insurance fraud has entered a plea and was placed on probation.

Todd Meendering, 61, of Boyden, entered an Alford plea in Sioux County District Court to insurance fraud -- conspiracy, a Class D felony. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, and the judge enters a finding of guilty into the record.

District Judge Jeffrey Neary deferred judgment and placed Meendering on two years' probation and ordered him to pay a $1,025 civil penalty. Meendering also must pay $500 restitution jointly with co-defendant Michael Vecchio to the victims.

Meendering and Vecchio were arrested in September after an Iowa Insurance Division Fraud Bureau investigation of their actions in April and May 2023.

Vecchio was involved in an accident while driving another person's vehicle that was to be detailed at Meendering's business and subsequently filed a claim with his insurance company and provided false information in order to receive benefits to which he was not entitled.

Meendering solicited the vehicle's owner to make false statements in support of Vecchio's insurance claim so the insurance company would pay the claim and Meendering's business would not be liable for the damages.

Vecchio, 51, of Sioux Center, pleaded guilty in December to a reduced charge of fourth-degree fraudulent practice and was fined $430 in addition to the restitution order.