Seven suspects facing insurance fraud charges for staging car accident

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Seven suspects are facing insurance fraud suspects for allegedly staging a car accident in Macon.

State fraud investigators say 23-year-old Kokeythia Glover, 41-year-old Stephanie James, 43-year-old Alicia Bell, 22-year-old Erion Phillips, 29-year-old Marcus Pertillo, 26-year-old Kentaurus Taylor, and 56-year-old Bernard Taylor planned the incident.

According to the Georgia Department of Insurance, the staged accident happened on September 5, 2013 at the intersection of Patterson Street and Birch Street between James’ 1998 BMW 325i and Glover’s rented Ford U-Haul truck. The staged accident resulted in more than $8,000 in fraudulent claims that was paid out by two insurance companies.

“Insurance fraud is a serious crime that can cost Georgians millions of  dollars each year in the form of higher premiums,” Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said in a statement. “I will continue to make combating fraud on my of my highest priorities.”

All of the suspects are charged with one felony count of insurance fraud. Glover and James are also charged with one count of false reporting of a crime.

Glover, James, Bell, Phillips, Pertillo and the Taylors turned themselves into the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.