Iowa Landlord Charged with Lying During Insurance Fraud Trial

A Cedar Rapids landlord who was convicted of insurance fraud has been charged with lying under oath during his civil trial in January.

Robert Miell, 53, was ordered by a federal jury to pay up to $1.5 million to the Wisconsin-based American Family Mutual Insurance Co., which sued him for filing claims for roof repairs he never made after a 2001 hailstorm.

Miell now faces a criminal trial for one count of perjury, two counts of filing a false tax return and 18 counts of criminal mail fraud according to the Associated Press account.

The U.S. attorney’s office accuses Miell of lying at the civil trial when he said American Family sent the checks to his insurance agent’s office. Prosecutors say the checks to pay for the roof damage were sent to Miell’s office.

Miell is also charged with filing false tax returns because in 2002 and 2003 he allegedly did not report the money he received from American Family, according to the indictment.

Miell owns about 1,000 rental units worth up to $80 million.

His trial is scheduled for June 9.