Delaware County Woman Charged With Insurance Fraud

NEW YORK, NY (11/30/2009)(readMedia)-- A 19-year-old Delaware County woman who struck a deer with her car and then changed her automobile insurance so she could file a claim for collision damages was arrested for insurance fraud on Nov. 25.

Megan Reed, of State Highway 28, Meridale, was arrested after an investigation by Gordon Saggese of the New York State Insurance Department's Frauds Bureau and state police at Oneonta, assisted by the investigative unit of Progressive Insurance Company.

Investigators found that Reed's run-in with the deer occurred prior to the date she changed her insurance to include collision and comprehensive coverage and then filed a claim. The insurance company declined to pay the $3,100 claim.

Reed was charged with third degree insurance fraud. If convicted she could be sentenced to seven years in prison.

She was released pending a hearing in Town of Meredith Court. The case is being prosecuted by the office of Delaware County District Attorney Richard Northrup.

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