Florida Man Accused of Hurricane Irma Insurance Fraud

A Florida man faces charges of insurance fraud after he and his wife allegedly filed a false claim for damages they said were caused by Hurricane Irma. The couple claimed over $90,000 in damages to their home, including a pool screen enclosure that investigators later determined had not existed for more than a decade.

The investigation began when the couple filed the claim with Olympus Insurance in November 2019. Inspections and aerial imagery revealed discrepancies, showing no evidence of a pool enclosure at the property since 2005. The couple initially maintained in sworn statements that the enclosure was destroyed in the hurricane and removed by unknown individuals. However, during a March 2024 follow-up interview, they admitted to fabricating the claim, citing encouragement from their public adjuster to include the enclosure for a higher payout.

Following the investigation, the man was arrested on December 17, 2024, and released on bond shortly after. The case highlights the ongoing issue of fraudulent claims and the role of unethical public adjusters in encouraging such activities.