A man in Washington accused of filing an insurance claim for $80,000 in dental work that he alleged was caused by an auto accident has been sentenced, according to a press release dated August 11 from the Idaho Department of Insurance.
Jeremy Antone, of Ford, WA, who pleaded guilty to insurance fraud in May, was sentenced in July to five years in county jail. However, Antone’s sentence was suspended in lieu of five years of probation. Also, Antone, 55, was ordered to pay $24,248 in restitution, according to the press release.
“Insurance fraud harms Idaho consumers by driving up premiums and eroding trust in the system,” Dean L. Cameron, insurance department director, said in the press release. “This case demonstrates our continued commitment to investigating fraudulent claims and holding individuals accountable when they attempt to misuse the insurance process.”
After an auto accident, Antone filed an injury claim with an insurance company in which he claimed every one of his teeth was knocked out due to the collision. He allegedly informed the company that as a result of the accident, he needed $80,000 in dental work, according to the press release.
The Idaho insurance department’s fraud unit launched an investigation into the claim and found that Antone did not experience any injuries due to the car accident. His dental problems were preexisting.
