Eight people have been charged with insurance fraud and criminal conspiracy for allegedly making false injury claims stemming from a SEPTA bus incident in 2009.
SEPTA contacted the District Attorney’s office in April of this year after receiving several allegedly fraudulent claims related to a Dec. 23, 2009 incident when the mirror of a Loomis armored car grazed the mirror of a stopped SEPTA bus in Center City.
According to prosecutors, surveillance video shows six of the eight claimants were not on the bus at the time of the incident. Prosecutors allege that Eric Lovett, who can be seen on video outside of the bus, requested an incident card from the operator and convinced five people on the street or in his neighborhood to file claims in return for monetary compensation.
The two defendants who were on the bus at the time of the incident, Lorraine Huff, 45, and Malik Spivey, 21, showed no apparent injury based on the video and witness testimony, prosecutors claim. Each of the defendants retained the same attorney and went to the Center City Medical Center for various injuries such as back and neck pain.
Additionally, prosecutors said, the attorney representing the eight claimants also filed claims against Brinks, which he mistakenly believed owned Loomis. Even after being informed of his error, he continued to pursue the claims against Brinks, prosecutors claim.
Three of the defendants – Huff, Faith Rowley, 46, and 55-year-old Arthur Whaley – are also charged with perjury for allegedly lying during depositions. Also charged in the conspiracy are Kitt Smith, 48, Avis Jackson, 56, and Stephanie Williams, 36, all of Philadelphia.
All eight defendants were arrested last month and are scheduled to appear in court Oct. 15.
Philadelphia’s inspector general has found that the city’s homeless services office “knowingly” overspent in the…
Authorities have announced new charges against four juveniles arrested following an exchange of gunfire earlier…
Four people were wounded in separate shootings and stabbings Saturday across Philadelphia. On Saturday night,…
2024 marks the 16th year of the highly energetic and uniquely wacky Kensington Derby and Arts Festival,…
By The Associated Press Student protests over the Israel-Hamas war have popped up on an…
A new stop in South Philadelphia is offering a way for locals to grab some…
This website uses cookies.