Two Washington residents added to state's Insurance Fraud Most Wanted list

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Two Washington state residents have been added to the Insurance Commissioner’s Insurance Fraud Most Wanted list after failing to appear in court on separate insurance fraud charges.

Kathy Oberst, of Spokane, was charged with attempted first-degree theft, filing a false insurance claim and making a false claim with a public servant in Spokane County Superior Court.

Commissioner Mike Kreidler said in a news release that Oberst purchased an insurance policy through Progressive for her Honda Civic on Dec. 29, 2015, and then reported on Jan. 7, 2016, that the car was stolen from her driveway.

“That night, Spokane police found the car several miles away with extensive damage to the front of the car, estimated to be a loss of $8,800. Oberst told investigators the car was not damaged before she reported it stolen. However, police records show the car was in a collision on Dec. 17, 2015” Kreidler said.

Progressive denied Obert’s claim and referred the case to the Criminal Investigations Unit.

Scroll down to continue reading

More news from KIRO 7

• Seattle man jailed, accused of killing brother with sword
• Ocean Shores man tries to stab neighbor with Ulu knife, police say
• Seattle-based chain Blue C Sushi closes all locations
• Passengers at Sea-Tac miss flights as TSA agents call out sick amid government shutdown
• Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

The other suspect wanted after failing to appear in court is Christopher Coralline, of Forks, who was charged with one felony count of filing a false insurance claim in King County Superior Court.

Kreidler said the insurance policy Coralline had with Middlesex Insurance Co. lapsed in July 2016 for nonpayment and Coralline renewed it on Aug. 10, 2016.

Coralline then filed a claim for an accident that he reported occurred on Aug. 13, according to Kreidler.

“The insurer paid $9,579 for the other driver’s vehicle repair and medical expenses. In May 2017, the insurer found evidence that the collision occurred on Aug. 10, a few hours before Coralline renewed his auto policy,” Kreidler said.

Middlesex eventually closed Coralline’s claim and referred it to the Criminal Investigations Unit.

Anyone with information that may lead to arrests of the suspects is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency or contact Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit.

Cox Media Group