Ex-Insurance Adjuster Pleads Guilty

ST. LOUIS -- A former insurance claims adjuster faces sentencing in May after admitting to filing false insurance claims to divert more than $400,000 to himself.

Thirty-three-year-old Brian Behl of St. Louis County pleaded guilty Friday to mail fraud. He worked for Allianz Insurance as a claims adjuster in O'Fallon, Mo., before being fired in September.

Allianz clients are companies whose employees relocate for employment purposes. Employees file claims when property is damaged during a move.

Federal prosecutors say that from March 2010 to September 2012, Behl falsified damage claims, resulting in Allianz making payments to a fictitious salvage company. All told, more than 40 checks were written that Behl cashed for personal use.

As part of the plea, Behl must forfeit a Ford Mustang, a Harley Davidson motorcycle and nearly $41,000.