BEAUMONT, Texas - A 42-year-old Nederland, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.
Antonio Govea Figueroa pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with wire fraud today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith F. Giblin.
According to information presented in court, from June 2008 to November 2013, Figueroa, the owner and operator of Tony’s Kustom & Collision in Port Arthur, Texas, electronically submitted claims to Farmers Insurance for collision work. Farmers became suspicious of the invoices submitted by Figueroa. The inspection of 44 claims revealed Figueroa claimed repairs that were not actually done and claimed to use new parts when salvaged or inferior parts were actually used without the consent or knowledge of the insured.
Figueroa faces up to 20 years in federal prison and restitution of $118,013.34 at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.
This case is being investigated by Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Farmers Insurance Significant Investigations Unit and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Tortorice.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
