Mother/Daughter Arrested in 9/11 Fraud

[CrimsonTide4]

Mom, Daughter Accused In 9/11 Fraud



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Aug 28, 2003 7:02 am US/Eastern
(1010 WINS) (New York) -- A Wisconsin mother-daughter team pretended one of them had died in the September 11th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and submitted false claims to two insurance companies.

According to a criminal complaint, Dorothy Johnson and her daughter, Twila McKee, both of Milwaukee, submitted claims to Conseco Direct Life Insurance Company and Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company. The claims allege that Johnson was killed at the trade center and McKee was named the beneficiary. Both claims had benefits totaling approximately 135 thousand dollars.

After the claims were filed, state officials began investigating, as is standard procedure. The investigation revealed that Johnson was still alive her fingerprints were found on the Conseco claim form. Also, Johnson allegedly submitted an automobile claim to another insurer 12 days after the attack.

The investigation was begun in New York but was turned over to Milwaukee officials because the claims were filed there.

Both women were arrested in Wisconsin. The women are charged with insurance fraud and attempted theft by fraud. If convicted, they each could face up to 40 years in state prison.