BILLINGS, Mont. — A Billings man has been charged with felony criminal insurance fraud after state investigators alleged he filed a false claim involving several lawnmowers he reported stolen.
Adam Walker told authorities in July 2023 that his truck, trailer and four lawnmowers had been stolen from outside his residence. Police later recovered the truck, but not the other items.
Walker submitted an insurance claim to State Farm, which ultimately paid him $100,000, according to the Montana State Auditor’s Office.
The Auditor’s Office began investigating in early 2024 after receiving a referral from State Farm. Investigators reviewed serial numbers and documents Walker provided to establish ownership and the value of the lawnmowers.
According to the state, investigators checked the serial numbers against a national database at a mower dealership and found that the information associated with the numbers didn’t match Walker’s claims.
Investigators also compared Walker’s claimed purchase prices with online listings for similar lawnmowers in the Billings area. The state said comparable mowers had an average asking price of about $6,600, compared with an average claimed value of roughly $21,700.
The Auditor’s Office said the investigation established probable cause to charge Walker with felony criminal insurance fraud.
State Auditor James Brown said fraudulent claims can ultimately increase costs for other policyholders.
“Honest insurance consumers end up bearing the cost of fraudulent claims paid out by insurance companies,” Brown said.
Under Montana law, criminal insurance fraud involving more than $1,500 can carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $50,000, or both.
Walker is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.