New Hampshire Woman Arraigned on Charges of Motor Vehicle Insurance Fraud and Larceny
The Attorney General's Office began an investigation into Keegan's alleged activities after a referral was made by the Massachusetts Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB). Authorities allege that in August 2002, Keegan suffered legitimate injuries from a dog biting incident and received a settlement from her insurer, State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. (State Farm). Investigators further discovered that Keegan sustained additional injuries as the result of an auto accident in February 2003, at which time she reported her injuries to MetLife Auto & Home Insurance Co. (MetLife). Authorities allege that in an effort to embellish her claim with MetLife, Keegan also cited the injuries she sustained from her previously settled August 2002 claim and lost wages from a non-existent job.
In response to her claim, MetLife paid Keegan $20,000 in compensation for her total injuries and purported loss of wages as result of the accident. According to authorities, at the time of the accident Keegan claimed to be employed at John D's Deli, a restaurant/bar that closed in July 2002, before any of the alleged injuries occurred.
In addition, authorities allege that on three separate instances occurring on diverse dates in April 2003, September 2004, and January 2005, Keegan embellished insurance claims as the result of minor motor vehicle accidents citing the injuries, medical reports, and loss of wage claims from the August 2002 and February 2003 settlements.
An Essex Grand Jury retuned indictments against Keegan on June 12, 2009. Today, Keegan was arraigned in Essex Superior Court at which time she entered a plea of not guilty and was released on personal recognizance. Keegan is due back in court on August 26, 2009, for a pre-trial conference. Essex Superior Court Judge Richard E. Welch III presided over the arraignment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Michael J. Walsh with assistance from investigators from the IFB.
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