Rhode Island Woman to Plead Guilty to Arson Fraud

May 16, 2012

A Warwick, R.I., woman has agreed to plead guilty to federal fraud charges after a fire at her home.

WPRI-TV reports that 43-year-old Louisa Knight will enter her plea in U.S. District Court on Tuesday.

According to court documents, Knight has acknowledged she caused the fire last July and had an insurance adjuster file a claim that same day.

Federal agents raided the McCauley & L’Europa Public Insurance Adjusters offices as part of their investigation. But authorities say there is no indication that the owners of the company, including Providence state Rep. John McCauley had anything to do with the fraud.

Authorities say Knight arranged to have her pets and some belongings removed from the home just before the fire started.