CHARLESTON — A McDowell County man who purchased after which burned down a home in Bluefield to gather insurance coverage cash pleaded responsible to a federal fraud cost in Charleston Tuesday.
U.S. Lawyer Will Thompson launched data on the case, saying Douglas Winery, 52, of Welch, pleaded responsible to wire fraud and faces as much as 20 years in jail when he’s sentenced on July 18.
In accordance with court docket paperwork and statements made in court docket, Thompson stated Winery admitted that on July 1, 2019, he purchased a home on Princeton Avenue in Bluefield for $5,000.
“On July 31, 2019, Winery purchased an insurance coverage coverage on the home,” Thompson stated. “The protection included for $285,500 for the dwelling, $142,750 for the contents and $14,275 for different constructions.”
However on the insurance coverage utility, Winery said that the acquisition worth for the home was $50,000.
Thompson stated that in early August, Winery made an settlement with different people to burn the home down and acquire the insurance coverage proceeds.
“On August 6, 2019, the people set the home on hearth,” Thompson stated. “The home was a complete loss. On August 16, 2019, Winery faxed a Sworn Assertion of Proof of Loss in search of $285,500 in insurance coverage proceeds for the home. The insurance coverage firm spent over $13,000 investigating Winery’s false declare, in the end denying it.”
Thompson counseled the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the West Virginia Workplaces of the Insurance coverage Commissioner.
Senior United States District Choose David A. Faber presided over the listening to. Assistant U.S. Lawyer R. Gregory McVey is prosecuting the case.
— Contact Charles Boothe at cboothe@bdtonline.com