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Edmonds Woman Sentenced to Home Confinement for Insurance Fraud Scheme
A Washington woman has been sentenced to five years of probation, with one year of house arrest, for her role in a brazen insurance fraud scheme.
Connie L. Bigelow, 54, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Seattle for wire fraud related to the April 30, 2018, fire at her business, CJN Miniatures & More, a dollhouse, miniatures, collectibles, and antiques shop in Edmonds, Washington.
According to records filed in the case, Bigelow set the fire to collect insurance money as the store was struggling to make enough money to pay the rent. The business fell behind in rental payments and payments to consigners between October 2017 and April 2018.
Bigelow carried an insurance policy with State Farm Fire and Casualty Company that covered up to $100,000 in loss of business personal property, as well as loss of income. The policy did not cover loss arising from arson.
The fire caused significant damage, with Bigelow setting it underneath three Thomas Kinkade paintings worth thousands of dollars. In May 2018, Bigelow initiated a claim to State Farm for the losses arising from the fire, making false statements to law enforcement and representatives of State Farm as part of the scheme to defraud.
Prosecutors had asked for a year in prison, citing the inherent danger of the fire and the losses to the community. In pleading guilty, Bigelow agreed to make full restitution, which currently stands at over $200,000 to the building owners and some 50 victims who lost consigned items in the fire.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), along with the Snohomish County Fire Marshals’ Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amy Jaquette.
Bigelow’s sentence includes five years of probation and one year of house arrest, reflecting the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the justice system.
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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