MODEL MAYOR: Former Milledgeville, Georgia Mayor Charged With 12 Counts of Insurance Fraud, including misappropriation of insurance premiums of more than $34,000 and issuing fraudulent certificates of insurance

APRIL 23, 2015 

The former mayor of Milledgeville, Ga., has turned himself in to face a dozen charges of insurance fraud.

The Macon Telegraph reports 52-year-old Richard Bentley was booked at Baldwin County Jail on Monday. Officers say Bentley is under arrest for misappropriation of insurance premiums of more than $34,000 and issuing fraudulent certificates of insurance.

Police say the affidavits describe incidents from September 2013 through October 2014, with Bentley accused of pocketing premiums instead of buying policies.

Bentley blamed health problems for him resigning as mayor in February after 10 years. He had been on medical leave since last October. Several candidates are running to replace him in a June 16 special election.

Bentley was also the former owner of Wilkinson Insurance Agency.

ALTHA, FLORIDA WOMAN ARRESTED FOR FORGERY, INSURANCE FRAUD WHEN SHE PROVIDED AN INVALID INSURANCE CERTIFICATE

THURSDAY, APRIL 23. 2015

A Calhoun County woman was arrested Thursday, accused of workers’ compensation fraud and forgery.

Holly N. Nichols of Altha has been charged in the case.

Nichols and her husband own J & N Construction. According to the arrest affidavit, the company was a subcontractor on a job at Mosley High School in Bay County during the summer of 2014. Upon receiving the job, Holly Nichols reportedly provided a Certificate of Insurance to the contractor as proof of workers’ compensation coverage.

However, upon investigation, it was learned the certificate was invalid. The certificate faxed to the contractor by Holly Nichols stated the coverage was good through Dec. 13, 2014, but the insurance provider confirmed for authorities the policy had been cancelled by Holly Nichols on Jan. 14, 2013. On the cancellation request form, Holly Nichols stated the reason for the cancellation as “not needed.”

During an interview with an investigator from the Division of Insurance Fraud, Holly Nichols reportedly stated she had faxed the insurance documents to the contractor and confirmed receipt. A warrant was then issued for her arrest.

ACCESS HOME INSURANCE COMPANY BEING SUED BY A HOMEOWNER CLAIMING BREACH OF CONTRACT AFTER IT ALLEGEDLY FAILED TO COVER DAMAGES TO HER HOME IN A HAILSTORM.

APRIL 23, 2015

GRETNA, LA

A property insurance company is being sued by a homeowner claiming breach of contract after it allegedly failed to cover damages to her home in a hailstorm.

Martha Murray filed suit against Access Home Insurance Company in the 24th Judicial District Court on Feb. 24.

Murray asserts she entered into an insurance policy with Access Home Insurance Company to cover property damage to her home located at 5116 Victorian Drive in Marrero. The plaintiff claims that on Feb. 24, 2013 a hailstorm struck the area and severely damaged her home. Murray alleges after the storm she submitted an insurance claim for roof damage, water damage, exterior and interior damages to the home and living expenses. 

The plaintiff contends the defendant hired an adjuster to investigate the damages and provide an equity claim for the damages. However, Murray asserts the adjuster hired by Access Home Insurance Company did not spend enough time inspecting the property damage and subsequently the claim offered was worth far lower than the necessary costs to repair the damages to the home.

The defendant is accused of breach of contract, bad faith claims handling, negligent claims handling, breach of duty, non-prompt payment, negligent misrepresentation and violation of state law.

Damages in excess of $50,000 are sought for diminution in the value of the property, repair and remediation expenses, amount due not previously paid, cost to hire engineering and investigative firms, consequential damages, damage to structure, loss of use, attorney’s fees, prejudgement interest and costs of litigation.

Murray is represented by attorney David A. Binegar of New Orleans-based Binegar Christian.

The case has been assigned to Division M Judge Henry G. Sullivan Jr.

Case no. 747-082.

Coast Guard rescues 3 from grounded vessel near Fripp Island

A Coast Guard aircrew arrives on scene as a grounded sailboat is buffeted by the sea state near Fripp Island, S.C., April 22, 2015. All three men aboard were wearing life jackets. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

FRIPP ISLAND, S.C. — A Coast Guard aircrew hoisted three people after their boat became grounded near Fripp Island, Wednesday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Charleston received the initial report at approximately 6:30 p.m. on VHF channel 16, stating that three teenagers, ages 21, 19 and 16, were stranded on their grounded boat, which was becoming unstable in the wind. It was determined the safest course of action with the diminishing daylight was to hoist the three to safety.
Upon arriving on scene, an aircrew launched from Coast Guard Air Station Savannah aboard an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter hoisted the men and transported them to Hilton Head.
"The boat was getting buffeted by the waves and was leaning over on its side," said Lt. Jon Magin, one of the pilots on the case. "The sun was starting to set and it was clear the survivors wanted to get off the boat. We made the determination as a crew that the situation would deteriorate once the sun went down, so we put the swimmer down to recover the survivors."
"The whole crew worked seamlessly to quickly recover the survivors just after sunset before fuel on the helicopter became an issue," said Magin.
All three were wearing life jackets.
No medical concerns were reported.

COAST GUARD RESCUES 3 FROM GROUNDED VESSEL NEAR FRIPP ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA

 
APRIL 22, 2015 

A Coast Guard aircrew hoists three young men when their sailboat became grounded and buffeted by the sea state near Fripp Island, South Carolina, April 22, 2015. 

All three men aboard were wearing life jackets. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Coast Guard searching for possible missing person near White Plains Beach in Oahu.

APRIL 23, 2015

The Coast Guard is searching for a possible missing person after this surfboard washed ashore near White Plains Beach, Oahu, April 22, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo.)

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard is searching for a possible missing person near White Plains Beach, Oahu, Wednesday.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Command Center received notification from the Honolulu Fire Department at 5:37 p.m. that an unmanned surfboard washed ashore at Nimitz Beach near White Plains.

The Tanaka surfboard is seven feet long and white in color with no leash attached.

There are no missing persons or distress reports in the area.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched from Air Station Barbers Point and arrived on scene at 6:20 p.m. The crew is currently searching for any signs of distress in the area.

Honolulu Fire Department also searched until sunset with one rescue boat and jet ski and conducted interviews on the beach.

The Coast Guard advises the public to label all watercraft and equipment with contact information in order to quickly account for owners and prevent any unnecessary searches.

Through the Operation Paddle Smart program, the Coast Guard offers a free “If Found” decal to be placed in a visible location on small, human-powered watercraft. The information on the sticker can allow response entities to quickly identify the owner and aid search and rescue planners in determining the best course of action.

The stickers can be obtained for free at local harbormasters, through the Coast Guard Auxiliary, from Honolulu Sail and Power Squadron offices and at select marine retail and supply stores.

Anyone with information that may help identify the owner of the surfboard is asked to contact the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Command Center at (808) 842-2600.

Coast Guard assists in search for missing child

April 23, 2015

 

HOUSTON, TEXAS

Kemah, Seabrook, Nassau Bay authorities and Coast Guard crews are searching for a missing 5-year-old girl near Kemah Boardwalk Wednesday night.

The girl is described as having blonde, shoulder length hair and wearing a red and white shirt.

At approximately 5 p.m., the father reported her missing near the edge of the pier. Responders from several local agencies are currently searching.

A Coast Guard Station Houston 29-foot boat was flagged down by a fireboat to help search and is currently on scene. An Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew has also assisted.

Future Explorers, Not: Coast Guard rescues 9 people off Spoil Island, Fla. after their boat was grounded due to low tide.

April 23, 2015

Fireman Karolina Del Hierro Vega, a crewmember from Coast Guard Station Sand Key, Florida, talks with Alexis Brown, a woman who was stranded on Spoil Island, Fla., Wednesday, April 22, 2015.  (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Fireman Mark Harmeling)

SAND KEY, FLORIDA

The Coast Guard rescued nine people off Spoil Island, Florida, after their 31-foot boat was grounded, Wednesday.

At 9:20 p.m. watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Florida, received a report from a Good Samaritan, via VHF-FM channel 16, stating he heard a female screaming for help and saw a red flare north of the Clearwater (Florida) Bridge.

At 9:31 p.m. a 24-foot Special Purpose Craft boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Sand Key was launched, and at approximately 9:45 p.m. arrived on scene. The boatcrew found nine people stranded after their boat was grounded due to low tide.

The boatcrew embarked the people and transported them to the station. There were no reported injuries.

“This situation could have easily been prevented,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Craig E. Sappo, the officer of the day at the station. “We recommend everyone not only have the essential equipment on board including flares, but also ensure they know the area they are transiting before they leave the dock.”

3 SUFFERED SEVERE BURNS AFTER BILLINGS HOUSE EXPLOSION THAT WAS BLAMED ON THE USE OF BUTANE GAS DURING HASH OIL EXTRACTION

APRIL 23, 2015

BILLINGS, MONTANA (AP)

Authorities say a Billings house explosion that left three men with critical injuries was caused by an ignition of butane being used to manufacture hash oil from marijuana. 

The home address is 114 South 29th Street, Billings, Montana.

Police Lt. Casey Hafner said the cause of Wednesday's blast was determined by agents with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives working with local authorities.

Hafner said a decision on whether to file charges will be made by the county attorney's office.

The explosion damaged the back wall of the house and blew out second-story windows.

Two 18-year-olds and a 21-year-old suffered serious burns and were flown to Denver and Salt Lake City for treatment.

Two explosions last year, in Hamilton and at the University of Montana, were blamed on hash oil manufacturing.

Source: http://billingsgazette.com