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A 1938 MG TA Tickford, valued at $125,000, was only one of the nine classic cars reported lost by Dr. George H. Simmons of Pulaski, Tennessee, in his fraudulent claim to the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. Chubb paid Simmons a total of $270,000.
Simmons claimed his cars had been stolen from a Santee, California, storage facility in April 1992. One real car, a 1970 BMW 2800 CS coupe, driven by Simmons, was among the cars reported stolen. The BMW, purported by Simmons to be in “pristine” condition, was recovered in poor condition in Tijuana, Mexico, in March 1993.
Witnesses from businesses neighboring the Santee storage facility stated they had never seen any cars moved in or out that might be described as “classic.” One witness remarked he had seen three “junky” cars stored there during the time in question.
In addition to the nine classic cars, Simmons also allegedly submitted false receipts for tools he claimed were stolen with the cars. His claim for $10,680 was denied.
Allstate Insurance Company paid Simmons $6,796 for the alleged theft of a trailer in Tennessee in August 1991. The trailer, with its license plate and VIN removed, was found at a National City business owned by Terrance Cowan. Cowan was charged with aiding and abetting Simmons in the false claims.
San Diego Sheriff’s Department Investigator Scott Miedecke and National Insurance Crime Bureau Special Agent Margaret Kibbett broke the case.
Simmons and Cowan were to be arraigned in San Diego Municipal Court in early May 1995. If convicted, both men face possible nine-year prison sentences and monetary fines.
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