A Bismarck man and a Fargo man face insurance fraud charges for allegedly causing traffic accidents and attempting to pass the fault onto other drivers.
Marcus Lavallie, of Bismarck, is accused of causing accidents with damages of more than $5,600 in the Bismarck area from July 2018 through November 2018, according to state Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread. Burleigh County court documents show Lavallie has been charged with fraudulent insurance act and theft by deception, both felonies, and a misdemeanor charge of fraudulent insurance act.
Lavallie is accused of intentionally colliding with another vehicle and attempting to make it appear as though it was the other driver’s fault. He’s also accused of failing to disclose prior vehicle damage to the insurance company to receive more money than was owed, according to Godfread.
Scott Goebel, of Fargo, faces similar charges for allegedly causing accidents in the Fargo area from August 2016 to August 2018 totaling nearly $23,000 in damage.
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Court documents do not list an attorney or a phone number for Lavallie. An attorney for Goebel didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Insurance fraud such as staged accidents, exaggerated claims and false information provided to insurance companies costs U.S. consumers as much as $120 billion each year, according to Godfread.Â