Atlanta, GA – Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens recently announced that a Cherokee County landscaper has been charged with two counts of insurance fraud and two counts of forgery for allegedly presenting fraudulent certificate of liability and workers compensation insurance coverage.
Arrested recently was Craig Stephens Peer, 45, of Woodstock, Ga. Peer, who owns a landscaping business called Peer Irrigation on two occasions presented bogus certificate of insurance to potential employers for subcontracting work. The companies interested in hiring Peer contacted the insurance agency listed on Peer’s policy, and was told that Peer was not insured by them.
An investigation by Hudgens’ Fraud Investigation Division revealed that Peer had submitted fraudulent documents. Peer was booked into the Cherokee County Jail and posted a $27,200 bond.
Commissioner Hudgens recommends before hiring a contractor verify that they are licensed and insured.
Insurance fraud is a felony punishable by imprisonment for two to ten years, or by a fine of up to $10,000.00, or both.
Source: GA Insurance Commissioner