An Aiken woman was arrested Monday on charges she falsified an insurance claim about her car and got over $15,000 for it.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has charged Dearra Lashay Griffin, 39, with presenting a false claim for insurance payment following an investigation requested by the S.C. Department of Insurance.
According to the arrest warrant, Griffin allegedly submitted a false insurance claim to GEICO Indemnity Company in July 2023. She reported that her 2017 Kia Sportage had been stolen from Interstate 20 near mile marker 3 on July 9. However, a local repair facility later notified GEICO that the vehicle had actually been sitting on its lot since July 6.
Investigators say Griffin gave a voluntary, recorded statement admitting she filed the false report because the vehicle had mechanical issues. She ultimately received $15,010 through the fraudulent claim.
Griffin was booked into the Aiken County Detention Center on Monday. The case will be prosecuted by the South Carolina Department of Insurance.
