Probation given in insurance fraud

Thursday, Feb. 26, 1998 | 10:10 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Dennis Wimett, 30, Las Vegas, has been placed on probation for two years for trying to file a false insurance claim that he had four tires and Crager wheels stolen from his 1968 car.

District Judge Joseph Pav-likowski Wednesday also ordered Wimett to perform 40 hours of community service and to reimburse Metropolitan Insurance Company $1,772.

Wimett reported in 1993 that his tires were stolen and he received $1,722 from the insurance company. But an investigation revealed Wimett had falsified purchase receipts and presented bogus receipts to the insurance company.

The charge of attempted insurance fraud is a gross misdemeanor. There was a cooperative investigation by the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the investigative division of the attorney general's office.

"This case is just one example of the work of our newly enhanced Insurance Fraud Unit to bring those who fraudulently deal with insurance companies to justice," Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said. "The citizens of this state pay the price of insurance fraud through the increased cost of obtaining and maintaining their insurance coverage."