October 16, 2002

 

Misdemeanor Plea Gets Richmond
Man 12 Month Jail Term

 

RICHMOND, VA – A Richmond man will spend the next 12 months in jail for trying to scam more than $18,000 out of his insurance company. William D. Spruill, 38, was sentenced Friday (Oct. 11) to one year in jail and to pay $548 in court costs for his guilty plea to a misdemeanor count of Attempting to Obtain Money under False Pretense.

In March 2001, an accidental fire destroyed several pieces of furniture at a house that Spruill owned and rented out. Spruill stated under oath that he lost $18,194 worth of furniture in the fire.

Senior Special Agent R.A. Seal with the Virginia State Police Insurance Fraud Division found otherwise. Testimony from Spruill’s ex-wife confirmed that his furniture was not in the house at the time of the fire and could not have been affected by the blaze.

The State Police Insurance Fraud Division and Special Investigations Unit with Travelers Insurance Company were involved in the investigation of the case.