Waynesville man charged with insurance fraud in Toro Dingo claim

RALEIGH -- May 17, 2021 Press Release North Carolina Department of Insurance

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Keith Brody Parks, 36, of 18 Aspen Place, Waynesville. Parks was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Parks of submitting a commercial insurance claim to Auto Owners Insurance Co. for a Toro Dingo compact utility loader, along with attachments, that he said had been stolen when he never owned the compact utility loader.

According to the arrest warrant, Parks submitted photographs of a Toro Dingo and Dingo attachments which he said were his but were not. The value of the claim items was more than $100,000.

The offenses occurred between Nov. 13, 2020, and March 4, 2021.

Haywood County deputies arrested Parks on May 7. He was given a $20,000 secured bond. He is due in Haywood County District Court on May 19.

“Insurance fraud hurts consumers; it costs North Carolina consumers nearly 20 cents on every dollar they pay in insurance premiums,” Commissioner Causey said. “That’s why I’ve more than doubled the number of special agents to crack down on fraud and other types of white-collar crime.”

Over the past three years, CID Special Agents recovered nearly $12 million used in fraudulent activities. That money has been returned to consumers and insurance companies.  The restitution also helps preserve insurance rates.

To report suspected fraud, contact the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840.  Callers may remain anonymous.  Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.