Fugitive Arrested in $500,000 Auto Fraud Scam

A Sherman Oaks, Calif., man has been arrested for insurance fraud, grand theft, identity theft, and federal charges, the California Department of Insurance reported. Moshe "Sanny" Assoulin, 35, was arrested in Israel on Aug. 19, 2007 by Israeli National Police. Assoulin is an Israeli national who grew up in California's San Fernando Valley.

A warrant for Assoulin's arrest was issued in October 2005, following the results of an investigation by the CDI. The investigation revealed multiple fraudulent automobile insurance claims were allegedly submitted to car rental and insurance companies by Assoulin and co-conspirators. Nine defendants have pleaded guilty to various insurance fraud related charges in connection with this case. In May 2005, Assoulin was awaiting sentencing for federal charges when he became aware of CDI's insurance fraud investigation. At that point, Assoulin fled to Israel.

Man who defrauded insurer gets year in jail

A McDowell County man who earlier pleaded guilty to a felony count of insurance fraud was in a regional jail last week after being sentenced, West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline said.

Bradley Vernatter pleaded guilty in February to one felony count of conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, Cline's office said. Vernatter admitted to his role in committing staged auto accidents and was sentenced Wednesday to one year in a regional jail and ordered to pay State Farm Insurance Co. $2,000 in restitution, Cline's office said.