Release Date: August 26, 2009

Contact:

John Vanarelli, Senior Deputy District Attorney

(805) 662-1726

District Attorney Greg Totten announced today that Rodolfo Donjuan (DOB 1/17/1984), of Camarillo , was sentenced after pleading guilty to felony auto insurance fraud. Donjuan was placed on formal probation for a period of five years and ordered to serve 180 days in the Ventura County jail. He was also ordered to pay restitution to Infinity Insurance in the amount of $5,326.

Donjuan contacted the Ventura County Sheriff's Department on July 18, 2008, and reported his 2000 Chevrolet Silverado had been stolen from a friend's house in Camarillo . He claimed that someone had taken his keys while he was at a party. The Silverado was subsequently located abandoned and wrecked a short distance away. Donjuan also filed a claim with his insurance carrier, Infinity Insurance.

During the next two months, Donjuan gave Infinity Insurance conflicting statements about the theft of his vehicle. His insurance claim was transferred to Infinity's Special Investigations Unit. On September 24, 2008, Donjuan was deposed under oath by an Infinity Insurance attorney. During the deposition, Donjuan was confronted with his inconsistent statements and admitted that he had lied. Donjuan stated he had been drinking beer and was driving when he crashed his vehicle. He said he ran away from the scene because he was afraid he would get in trouble.

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.