Agents with Attorney General Liz Murrill's Louisiana Bureau of Investigation recently arrested a couple from Baton Rouge for attempting to defraud an insurance company of approximately $30,000 and on other related charges.

The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) received a criminal referral from the Louisiana Department of Insurance regarding allegations of insurance fraud.

Agents learned that 48-year-old Rhashiedi Porter, of Laurie Lynn Drive in Baton Rouge, and 37-year-old Sarai Stansberry, of E. Caprice Avenue in Baton Rouge, had allegedly filed a false insurance claim involving a minor parking lot accident. 

During this investigation, agents learned that Porter and Stansberry had provided sworn testimony claiming they were seat-belted occupants inside their vehicle when it was struck by another vehicle. The couple also claimed they had sustained injuries requiring more than five months of medical treatment. However, surveillance video later obtained by the insurance company reportedly showed that neither individual was inside the vehicle during the accident. After the footage was disclosed, both subjects voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit.

LBI agents secured the video footage and other evidence associated with this matter. Upon further investigation, and review of the video footage, agents confirmed the couple had intentionally submitted a false claim for purposes to defraud the insurance company. Evidence also disclosed that the couple attempted to defraud the insurance company of approximately $30,000.   

Based on the evidence obtained during this investigation, LBI agents secured arrest warrants through the Orleans Parish District Court on charges pertaining to insurance fraud and perjury.

On Tuesday, February 23rd, Porter and Stansberry were arrested in the 8500 block of Ponchartrain Blvd and booked at the Orleans Parish Jail on charges of:

• L.R.S. 22:1924 Insurance Fraud
• L.R.S. 14:123 Perjury
• L.R.S. 14:126 False Swearing
• L.R.S. 14:133 Filing False Public Records

Their bond information is unknown at this time.

The investigation is ongoing.

Rhashiedi Porter (above)

Sarai Stansberry (above)

*All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.