Release Date: August 19, 2009

Contact:

John Vanarelli, Senior Deputy District Attorney

(805) 662-1726

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Paul Lafflitio (DOB 6/25/1984) of Simi Valley was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to felony evading a peace officer and felony auto insurance fraud. Lafflitio was placed on formal probation for three years and ordered to serve 218 days in the Ventura County jail. He was ordered to pay restitution of $1,278 to Alliance United Insurance Company and an additional $1,592 to the property owners where he crashed his truck.

On March 25, 2009, at 9:00 p.m., two Simi Valley Police Department officers were working undercover in an unmarked patrol vehicle. They were stopped for a red light at the intersection of Sycamore and Royal when they saw a silver Dodge Ram pick-up truck approach the intersection. The Dodge failed to stop for the red light. As the Dodge drove through the intersection, one of the officers shined his spotlight into the cab of the Dodge and got a good look at the driver, Lafflitio.

The officers tried to pull over the Dodge but the truck sped away. Lafflitio drove at times between 90 and 100 mph while fleeing from the officers. Because he was driving so fast and recklessly, the officers decided to terminate the pursuit. Minutes later, however, the officers discovered Lafflitio's truck crashed and abandoned on private property off Wood Ranch Parkway . The officers discovered Lafflitio was the registered owner of the truck and called him. Lafflitio answered his cell phone and told the officers that he was “night-clubbing” in Hollywood . He added the vehicle must have been stolen from where he last parked it in Simi Valley . He said he would come to the police department the following day to report it stolen.

Unbeknownst to Lafflitio, both officers got a good look at him driving as the pursuit began. Additionally, cell phone tracking evidence placed Lafflitio in Simi Valley at the time of the pursuit, not in Hollywood as he told the officers. When Lafflitio arrived at the Simi Valley Police Department the next day, he was identified and arrested. The officers subsequently learned that prior to arriving at the police department, Lafflitio called Alliance United Insurance Company and falsely reported his vehicle was stolen.

Auto insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. It affects every law abiding insured driver in California . Automobile insurance fraud costs the United States insurance industry $2 billion annually and each consumer about $200 to $300 annually for each vehicle insured in California . The District Attorney's Office is committed to vigorously prosecuting all of those who choose to victimize the public in this manner.