MARCH 25, 2015
ST. PETERBURG, FLORIDA
Four Pinellas County men are accused of intentionally
damaging two tow trucks owned by Jimmy’s Towing and Recovery and fraudulently
collecting more than $40,000 in insurance payments.
The Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud announced the arrests March 25. The four suspects, who face up to 15 years in prison, are Leonard Bosi, 50, of Dunedin, Andrew Gentile, 25, of Palm Harbor, Edgar Gentile, 42, of Seminole and Matthew Gentile, 23, of Dunedin.
All four were booked into the Pinellas County Jail on two charges of insurance fraud over $25,000. They were released the same day on $10,000 bond each.
According to the fraud division, a tow truck owned by Jimmy’s Towing and Recovery was involved in an accident in Clearwater on June 17, 2014. An investigation reportedly revealed that the tow truck was driven back to Jimmy’s Towing and Recovery where it was repeatedly rammed by another truck until the tow truck was rendered inoperable. An insurance claim for the tow truck was paid to Jimmy’s Towing and Recovery and dispensed to the four suspects.
Then, on June 20, 2014, another tow truck from Jimmy’s Towing and Recovery caught on fire. A citizen extinguished the fire, and the truck was taken back to Jimmy’s Towing and Recovery where its engine was intentionally damaged beyond repair. Jimmy’s Towing and Recovery was again paid an insurance claim, which was dispensed to the four suspects.
The office of the Sixth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bernie McCabe will prosecute the case. Anyone with information about suspected insurance fraud is asked to call 800-378-0445. Those who provide tips can remain anonymous.
The Department of Financial Services has awarded $365,000 to 63 citizens as part of its Anti-Fraud Reward Program. The program rewards individuals up to $25,000 for information that directly leads to an arrest and conviction in an insurance fraud scheme.
The Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud announced the arrests March 25. The four suspects, who face up to 15 years in prison, are Leonard Bosi, 50, of Dunedin, Andrew Gentile, 25, of Palm Harbor, Edgar Gentile, 42, of Seminole and Matthew Gentile, 23, of Dunedin.
All four were booked into the Pinellas County Jail on two charges of insurance fraud over $25,000. They were released the same day on $10,000 bond each.
According to the fraud division, a tow truck owned by Jimmy’s Towing and Recovery was involved in an accident in Clearwater on June 17, 2014. An investigation reportedly revealed that the tow truck was driven back to Jimmy’s Towing and Recovery where it was repeatedly rammed by another truck until the tow truck was rendered inoperable. An insurance claim for the tow truck was paid to Jimmy’s Towing and Recovery and dispensed to the four suspects.
Then, on June 20, 2014, another tow truck from Jimmy’s Towing and Recovery caught on fire. A citizen extinguished the fire, and the truck was taken back to Jimmy’s Towing and Recovery where its engine was intentionally damaged beyond repair. Jimmy’s Towing and Recovery was again paid an insurance claim, which was dispensed to the four suspects.
The office of the Sixth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bernie McCabe will prosecute the case. Anyone with information about suspected insurance fraud is asked to call 800-378-0445. Those who provide tips can remain anonymous.
The Department of Financial Services has awarded $365,000 to 63 citizens as part of its Anti-Fraud Reward Program. The program rewards individuals up to $25,000 for information that directly leads to an arrest and conviction in an insurance fraud scheme.