North Carolina Roofing Contractor Arrested for Fraudulent Insurance Claim Scheme

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced the arrest of Robert Allen Bentley, a senior project manager at A&M Premier Roofing & Construction, on multiple felony charges including insurance fraud, conspiracy, and attempting to obtain property by false pretense. Bentley is accused of conspiring with a co-worker to intentionally damage a roof and submit a fraudulent insurance claim to North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance Group for $30,000, alleging the damage was caused by wind and hail. This arrest followed a two-month investigation involving the Department of Insurance's fraud investigators and Farm Bureau's Special Investigations Unit, which utilized a "bait house" strategy to identify roofing company employees participating in roof damage fraud schemes. The operation combined engineering expertise, advanced surveillance, and traditional investigative methods to build the case. North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance supported the investigation by providing resources and highlighted the broader impact of insurance fraud, emphasizing its contribution to increased premiums for insurance customers. Commissioner Causey and Farm Bureau President Shawn Harding both underscored ongoing efforts to combat roofing scams and encouraged the public to report suspected insurance fraud to state authorities. This case highlights increased regulatory and insurer collaboration to address fraudulent claims in the roofing sector, reinforcing compliance priorities and risk mitigation for homeowners and insurers alike.