Spokane insurance fraud ringleader pleads guilty to conspiracy, tax fraud and failing to appear in court [Video]

SPOKANE, Wash. — A man who led a massive insurance fraud scheme has pleaded guilty to conspiracy, tax fraud, and failing to appear at court proceedings.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, William Oldham Mize orchestrated a scheme involving intentional automobile and boat crashes, as well as staged home “accidents,” to file false and fraudulent insurance claims and collect the proceeds.

Court documents reveal that Mize’s scheme operated from 2013 to 2018 and involved numerous staged crashes in Washington and Nevada. Mize obtained more than $6 million through these fraudulent activities and retained most of the money

Mize first appeared in federal court on his indictment on Jan. 9, 2019. Following his initial appearance, he was released pending trial. However, in July 2019, Mize evaded supervision and became a fugitive, living under multiple false identities.

On Nov. 28, 2023, U.S. …