Thursday, July 31, 2008

Syracuse Trio Charged With Staging Auto Accident

Three Syracuse residents are accused of staging a two-car accident in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain a $4,632 insurance payment, the New York State Insurance Department reported.

Eric Odom, 41, Katrina Norvell, 30, and Carmen Bryant-Cunningham, 24, were arrested by Thomas Hurley of the Department’s Frauds Bureau, assisted by Syracuse police.

According to Hurley, Odom and Bryant-Cunningham purposefully caused a two-car accident with cars they were driving on Dec. 26, 2006, so that Odom could file a claim with Esurance Insurance Company. It is alleged that Odom, Bryant-Cunningham and Norvell planned to share the insurance payment for damages to Odom’s car.

The three were released pending future appearances in Syracuse City Court.

If convicted, Bryant-Cunningham could be sentenced to up to four years in prison for insurance fraud, while Norvell and Odom face up to one year in prison for conspiracy.

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