A local contractor accused of faking storm damage is now facing criminal charges.
Investigators for the North Carolina Department of Insurance set up a sting operation designed to catch roofing contractors who damage roofs on purpose, then try to blame storms.
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The setup worked.
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey says the two-month sting operation led to the arrest of 36-year-old Robert Allen Bentley of Charlotte. According to investigators, Bentley and a co-worker intentionally bent and damaged shingles on the roof of a Wake County home, then falsely claimed the damage was caused by wind and hail. Investigators say the goal was to collect a fraudulent $30,000 insurance payout from North Carolina Farm Bureau.
The sting used a “bait house,” along with engineering experts and surveillance, and was conducted by the Department of Insurance and Farm Bureau’s Special Investigations Unit.
Bentley has been used as a subcontractor by A&M Premier Roofing & Construction, the company president told WRAL. But he was not working for A&M when the alleged infractions happened.
He was arrested on Dec. 10 and charged with insurance fraud, attempting to obtain property by false pretenses and conspiracy, all felonies.
Investigators say the case is ongoing and another arrest is pending.
If you suspect insurance fraud, you can report it anonymously to the North Carolina Department of Insurance.