(Woodbury County, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division report 64-year-old Jay Wickey, of Sergeant Bluff, recently pled guilty to two counts of Forgery (Aggravated Misdemeanor) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau. The investigation began in February 2019 after a complaint alleged Wickey had falsely endorsed the signature of a financial institution on multiple insurance checks. Wickey was arrested on December 21, 2019.

The investigation determined Wickey falsely endorsed the signature of his vehicle’s lienholder, Regional Acceptance Bank, without their knowledge or consent, allowing him to collect proceeds for himself. Wickey’s actions prevented Regional Acceptance Bank from protecting their financial interest by confirming the vehicle’s repairs had been completed.

“Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime,” Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said. “I appreciate the hard work of our Fraud Bureau and the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office in the prosecution of this case so Mr. Wickey was held accountable for his actions.”

Photo courtesy of the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office

Following his guilty plea, Wickey received a two year suspended prison sentence, two years of probation, and was ordered to pay a fine of $625 as well as a probation enrollment fee of $300.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.