California residents might be aware of a case going on in Los Angeles, where a man allegedly drove his family off a pier in order to collect insurance benefits. The defendant has denied all accusations and has pleadednot guilty to the federal charges levied against him, some of which are mail and wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.
Before the incident, the defendant, a 44-year-old male originally from Egypt, had bought multiple accidental death insurance policies covering himself, his domestic partner at the time along with his three children. The total payout of the policies was more than $6 million, and the defendant had to take approximately $6,000 out of his $30,000 annual salary so as to pay fothese policies.
On the day of the incident, the defendant drove a car containing his partner as well as his children off a pier. He managed to survive by climbing out of the driver’s seat window. The children, who were severely autistic, couldn’t swim out of the car and drowned. His domestic partner was rescued when a fisherman saved her with a floatation device. As a result, the defendant managed to collect $260,000 from his policies, paid by American General Life Insurance and Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance.
These types of federal criminal charges could result in substantial penalties, including a lengthy period of incarceration, if a conviction is obtained. As a result, people who are facing similar allegations might find it advisable to meet with an attorney as soon as possible so that a defense strategy can be constructed.
Source: NBC Los Angeles, “Hawthorne Man Accused of Fraud Over Children’s Deaths Pleads Not Guilty“, City News Service, Jan. 23, 2019