Fla. Homeowner Arrested for False Hurricane Claim

A Cocoa Beach, Fla. homeowner is facing a felony charge for filing a false insurance claim allegedly claiming that renovation work to his home was the result of hurricane damage.

Robert Milliken of 744 S. Orlando Ave. # 709 was arrested Tuesday by investigators with the Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud. He was booked into the Brevard County Jail and, if convicted on the third-degree felony charge, faces up to five years in prison.

“Thousands of Florida homeowners and business owners were devastated by the four hurricanes that hit our state last year,” Tom Gallagher, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer said. “This kind of fraud victimizes them all over again because everyone pays for insurance fraud.”

Milliken filed the fraudulent claim last September with Citizens Property Insurance Corp. for his home at 423 S. Atlantic Ave., claiming that when Hurricane Frances struck the Treasure Coast on September 5, 2004, it caused nearly $60,000 in personal property damage.

Investigators, however, determined that Milliken contracted with Mack Mosier of Trade Wind Builders to remodel his residence, and the work began on August 10, 2004. The work involved the removal of all of Milliken’s furniture as well as the roof and windows.