Lenoir County man charged for insurance fraud and false pretense

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Sherrod Suggs, 58, of 710 Joyner Drive, Kinston, NC. Suggs was charged with one count of insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies.

According to special agents with the NC Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division, Suggs provided misleading information to Progressive Premier Insurance Company of Illinois regarding four slashed tires on his vehicle to obtain $665.05. Agents said Suggs changed the date to occur a week after a police report had been filed with the Kinston Police Department.

According to the arrest warrant, the offenses occurred on March 7, 2023.

Suggs was released from custody by Lenoir County officials under a $5,000 secured bond on March 3.

"Insurance fraud hits consumers in the wallet," Commissioner Causey said. "Approximately 20 cents of every insurance premium dollar goes to covering the cost of fraud. I'm fighting this by aggressively pursuing and prosecuting insurance fraud in North Carolina."

If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.

Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.