A former firefighter with the South Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department is facing felony charges for insurance fraud after allegedly receiving more than $100,000 in disability payments improperly, according to North Carolina Department of Insurance.
John William Myers, 52, of 107 Rudolph Road, Salisbury, has been charged with two counts of insurance fraud and two counts of obtaining property by false pretense. Myers reportedly sustained an injury during mandatory firefighter training in 2019 and began receiving disability benefits. The North Carolina Department of Insurance alleges that he continued collecting these benefits after returning to work in April 2023.
Investigators from the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division allege that Myers submitted false statements to the National Union Fire Insurance Co. to continue receiving benefits through June 2025. He surrendered to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office last Thursday and was released on a $20,000 unsecured bond.
Authorities say incidents of insurance fraud can lead to higher premiums for the public. The N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division encourages anyone with information about suspected fraud to report it. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling the department’s hotline or through its website, which provides guidance on how to submit a report.
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