A Little Falls firefighter was arrested Tuesday for allegedly filing a false insurance claim to pay for construction of an $8,000 retaining wall in front of his home, according to state Insurance Department officials.
A state Frauds Bureau investigation found Christopher Hendrie, 36, of East Monroe Street, filed a phony claim under his homeowners’ policy with Allstate Insurance company, said Ron Klug, state Insurance Department spokesperson.
Hendrie was charged with felony fourth-degree insurance fraud, according department officials.
Hendrie in June filed a claim that said heavy rains caused the collapse of a stone wall in front of his home, Klug said. An investigation into the claim revealed that Hendrie had a contractor replace an existing wall with a new wall before filing the insurance claim, said Klug. Hendrie after being turned down for a loan to finance the project filed the claim so that he could pay the contractor, Klug added.
It is unclear whether or not the existing wall had been damaged prior to its replacement, according to Klug.
Little Falls Police Chief Michael Masi said the Frauds Bureau investigators filed the charges in City Court and processed the arrest through the Little Falls Police Department. Masi said his department was not involved in any part of the investigation or filing of the charges.
Hendrie is scheduled to appear in City Court on Feb. 16, and the case is being prosecuted by Herkimer County District Attorney John Crandall, Insurance Department officials said.
Crandall did not return a phone call requesting comment.
Hendrie could face up to four years in prison if convicted, said Insurance Department officials.
Mayor Robert Peters did not return requests for comment on any city employment policies related to criminal charges and convictions.
Little Falls, N.Y. —
