Des Moines - Lavona Lopez, age 52, Dario Ovelry, age 29, and Ashly Overly, age 28, of Des Moines all pled guilty to one count Insurance Fraud - Presenting False Information (Class D Felony) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.
The investigation began in January 2021 after the Iowa Insurance Divisions Fraud Bureau received information indicating Lopez had provided false information to an insurer following an automobile accident in Polk County.
The investigation determined Lopez had made false representations regarding the nature of the loss in an effort to secure benefits of the insurance policy. Lopez made false statements to an insurer regarding the facts and circumstances of a motor vehicle collision. The investigation determined Lopez fabricated independent witnesses who provided statements to an insurer in support of Lopez’s version of events. The investigation identified Lopez’s witnesses as her son, Dario Ovelry, and daughter-in-law, Ashly Overy. The investigation determined that neither Dario nor Ashly Overly had been at, or near the scene of the collison nor had they witnessed the event leading up to the collision. Lavona Lopez, Dario Ovelry and Ashly Overly were all charged with Insurance Fraud and warrants were issued for their arrest.
Ashly Overly was arrested on June 17, 2022 and pled guilty to one count of insurance fraud on October 5, 2022. Dario Overly was arrested on June 17, 2022 and pled guilty to one count of insurance fraud on August 26, 2022. Lopez was arrested on November 9, 2022 and pled guilty to one count of insurance fraud on February 1, 2023.
Following their guilty pleas, Lavona Lopez, Dario Ovelry and Ashly Overy received deferred sentences and were placed on supervised probation for a period of two years. They were also ordered to pay a fine of $1,025 each.
Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.
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