Lt. Governor Taylor Announces Sentencing in $21,000 Insurance Fraud Case

COLUMBUS — Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor announced today that Cleveland resident Joel December was sentenced on July 7 in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court to eight months in jail followed by three years on community control for insurance fraud.

An incarcerated December directed Asia Brown – a co-defendant in the case awaiting sentencing – to file a false claim with an insurance company claiming that multiple personal items valued at approximately $21,000 were taken from their residence.

“Insurance fraud schemes such as these affect everyone by increasing the cost of insurance,” said Taylor, also Director of the Ohio Department of Insurance. “I’m very proud of the department’s fraud division, which works tirelessly to protect consumers by bringing to justice individuals who conspire to break the law.”

Ohioans who suspect insurance fraud or professional misconduct should call the department’s fraud hotline at 800-686-1527. Insurance fraud information is available at www.insurance.ohio.gov.