Florida Department of Financial Services: CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Arrest of Jacksonville Elementary School Principal for Insurance Fraud

JACKSONVILLE, Florida, Nov. 26 -- The Florida Department of Financial Services issued the following news release:

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Darrell Perry, Principal of Timucuan Elementary in Jacksonville, in an alleged attempt to commit over $16,000 in insurance fraud related to Hurricane Irma. Perry attempted to defraud State Farm Insurance Company for damages claimed to be sustained during Hurricane Irma.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, "Lying about hurricane damage while many Floridians lost everything during Hurricane Irma is sickening. Insurance fraud takes money from Florida families with legitimate claims and drives up insurance rates for us all. As many Floridians recover from Hurricane Michael that impacted our state one month ago, I want to put everyone on notice: If you choose to commit insurance fraud to make a quick buck, you will be thrown in jail."

Investigations revealed Perry submitted fraudulent and altered repair invoices to State Farm Insurance Company requesting $16,042 in reimbursements due to alleged damages to his home from Hurricane Irma. Investigators found that Perry altered two of the invoices and fabricated another for fake repairs that never occurred.

Perry turned himself in to the Clay County Sheriff's Office on November 16. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.