
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Four employees who work for Lee and Cates Glass have been arrested on charges of fraud.
According to the police reports, Susan Davis, her husband Cliff, Tim Kimble and Alamo Talley overbilled 15 insurance companies over $775,000 on 1,000 different claims.
According to authorities, the overbilling happened from January, 2006, to September, 2008.
The police report says the fraud deals with installing one item into a customer's vehicle and then charging the customer's insurance company for a different item.
"The windshields were supposed to be dealer windshields. They were actually after-market. They put a windshield in they had in stock. It was manufactured to be like that windshield but at a very, very low cost," says Detective Dwight Murphy, of the Florida Insurance Fraud Division.
Murphy says the investigation started in early 2008 when someone filed a complaint. "This is one that has definitely affected the citizens of Florida and your insurance rates."
Lee and Cates is a family-run business in Jacksonville that has been in operation since 1926. The company's President, Tom Lee, told First Coast News Wednesday afternoon, "This is not the way we do business.
Lee says he is disappointed and that five of his employees were fired immediately after the company realized there was a problem.
Lee declined to say who those five employees are, but did say they are three managers and two customer service representatives.
While authorities say the employees overbilled $775,000, Lee says the number is not accurate.
"I have nothing to hide, but it's not that number. Where that came from I have no idea. I'd love to answer for you, we have nothing to hide, but I think there are certain things we can't talk about at this time."
The only thing Lee will confirm is the number they have paid back to insurance companies is six figures.
Lee says while he cannot say much, he wants customers to know that no individual lost a cent.
State officials say the investigation is continuing. Investigators ask anyone who thinks they may be part of the scam to contact the fraud division at 904-798-4884.
The company owns 19 stores in North Florida and South Georgia.
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Created: 4/8/2009 1:21:05 PM 



