California DA targets auto insurance fraud with $6.9 million grant

As thousands of unsuspecting drivers in Los Angeles County are victimized by auto insurance fraud each year, District Attorney Jackie Lacey says her office will be going after those who cause crashes to rake in a big payday with renewed vigor. Lacey is now armed with $6.9 million in grants from the California Department of Insurance, provided as part of a statewide effort to help district attorneys combat insurance fraud. The county has the highest number of false auto insurance claims in the state, accounting for nearly 43 percent of vehicle claims — $143 million — last year. And auto-fraud rings are a multimillion-dollar business throughout California.