A Lincoln County man is in hot water over accusations that he filed a fraudulent insurance claim after his car was reportedly involved in a hit-and-run. Donald Edward Johnson Jr., a 52-year-old resident of Denver, NC, was charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property under false pretense, as confirmed by North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey.
Special agents with the NC Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division allege that Johnson tried to quickly get an insurance payout. He reported to Peak Property and Casualty Insurance that his 2014 Buick LaCrosse was victim to a hit-and-run, while in reality, the damage to his vehicle had occurred in a prior incident on August 23, 2024. This move led to Johnson's arrest by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. He was later released on a $20,000 unsecured bond.
According to the NC Department of Insurance's press release, Johnson's case serves as a reminder of the broader implications of insurance fraud. In his statement, Commissioner Causey emphasized the economic impact of such crimes, saying, "Insurance fraud hits consumers in the wallet. Approximately 20 cents of every insurance premium dollar goes to covering the cost of fraud." His department is committed to vigorously fighting and prosecuting such frauds across North Carolina, keeping an eye on the price paid by honest consumers.
Johnson is scheduled to make his court appearance next Monday in Randolph County District Court. The outcome could potentially serve as a deterrent to similar crimes, as law enforcement and the Insurance Commissioner's office continue to put every effort into bringing such cases to light.
