Robert Smith, 47, of Hermitage is charged with one count of insurance fraud for allegedly lying to his insurance company about his accident history. The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office alleges that Smith lied to the insurance company when he tried to get coverage immediately following a two-car crash he was involved in. 

The recent sweep comes as a part of investigation by the insurance fraud section of Attorney General Kathleen Kane's office. The sweep resulted in the arrest of more than 20 individuals. "Insurance fraud is one of the most costly white-collar crimes in America today, with estimated losses in the billions of dollars annually," Attorney General Kane said. 

In 1994, legislation was enacted in Pennsylvania establishing the Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority (IFPA) and a Fraud Trust Fund. All insurance companies in Pennsylvania pay an annual assessment into the fund to provide financial support to the Insurance Fraud Section and other law enforcement agencies to support insurance fraud investigations and prosecutions.

Private citizens can report allegations of insurance fraud using an online form or by calling the IFPA's hotline at 1-888-565-IFPA (4372).