A Washington man has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme involving staged automobile, boat, and home accidents. William Oldham Mize, the ringleader of the elaborate scam, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison and ordered to pay over $7 million in restitution for his role in a fraudulent insurance claim operation that spanned several years and multiple states.
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The Fraud Scheme Unraveled
William Mize, 52, was convicted for leading a widespread insurance fraud scheme between 2013 and 2018. The scheme involved intentionally causing automobile and boat accidents, as well as faking home accidents, to submit fraudulent insurance claims and collect millions of dollars in payouts.
Court documents reveal that Mize and his network staged numerous collisions across Washington and Nevada, ultimately defrauding insurance companies and other victims out of more than $6 million. A large portion of the ill-gotten funds was kept by Mize, who used the proceeds to finance a lavish lifestyle. This criminal operation also involved elaborate tactics to fabricate home accidents, further inflating the fraudulent claims.
In total, the government seized more than $2 million in assets from Mize and his co-conspirators. This included several houses, luxury cars, boats, and large sums of cash. These assets were forfeited and returned to the victims of the fraud, helping to mitigate the financial damage caused by Mize and his accomplices.
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A Lengthy Legal Battle
Mize’s criminal activities came to light in 2019 when he was indicted for his role in the fraud scheme. However, after his initial appearance in federal court in January 2019, Mize violated his release conditions and fled from supervision, disappearing for several years. Using a series of false identities, he evaded capture for an extended period, eluding authorities until he was apprehended in 2023.
After being tracked down by the U.S. Marshals in Jacksonville, Florida, Mize was located and arrested at a marina in central Florida. His capture marked the end of his years-long flight from justice. He was subsequently transported back to Eastern Washington, where he has remained in custody awaiting sentencing.
The Penalty and Restitution
Mize’s sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge, includes 144 months (12 years) in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and an obligation to pay restitution totaling $7.1 million. Of this amount, $6.6 million is designated for insurance companies, which were defrauded by Mize’s fraudulent claims, while $436,399 will be paid to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to address taxes owed on the illicit earnings from the scheme.
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This hefty restitution serves as a reminder that white-collar criminals can face severe financial consequences, even after their crimes have been uncovered. Mize’s substantial fine and lengthy prison sentence reflect the seriousness with which the justice system handles large-scale fraud schemes, especially those that affect multiple victims and result in significant financial losses.
Collaboration Between Agencies
The investigation into Mize’s activities was a joint effort by several federal agencies, including the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the U.S. Marshals Service. These agencies worked together to piece together Mize’s extensive fraudulent activities and track him down after he attempted to escape justice.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dan Fruchter, Jeremy J. Kelley, and Brian M. Donovan led the prosecution of the case, ensuring that Mize was held accountable for his actions. Their efforts were instrumental in bringing this case to a successful conclusion, securing a conviction, and ensuring that Mize would face the full consequences of his crimes.
A Warning to Others
The sentencing of William Oldham Mize serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of committing insurance fraud and attempting to evade justice. Mize’s attempt to escape capture only delayed his punishment, but ultimately, his fraudulent activities caught up with him. This case sends a strong message that those who engage in similar criminal schemes will eventually be held accountable, and the justice system will not tolerate efforts to escape responsibility.
For victims of similar schemes, this case provides a glimpse of hope that justice can be served, even in complex financial fraud cases. It also underscores the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies in uncovering and prosecuting fraudulent activities.
