Release Date: January 10, 2008

Contact:

Kevin Drescher, Senior Deputy District Attorney

(805) 662-1726  

District Attorney Gregory Totten announced today that Maria G. Carranza (DOB 12/12/56) of Newark , California , plead guilty to one count of felony auto insurance fraud.

The case stems from an automobile accident on May 29, 2006, that involved Carranza. Carranza was not at fault in the accident and requested payment for vehicle repairs from the other party's insurance company, Hartford Insurance. Carranza received $3,473 on June 12, 2006, from Hartford Insurance to repair her vehicle. Carranza subsequently filed another claim with her insurance company, Alliance United. In December 2006, Carranza accepted another payment of $3,726 from Alliance United for the same repairs. When Alliance United attempted to subrogate Hartford Insurance to recoup the amount owed by the driver responsible for the accident, it discovered the double payment to Carranza. When Alliance United brought the illegal claim to Carranza's attention and requested repayment, she refused to do so.

Carranza's sentencing is scheduled for February 7, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. She is facing a maximum penalty of five years in state prison and up to $50,000 in fines. She remains out of custody after posting a $20,000 bail bond.