Arson and Fraud Investigation 

Arson costs Georgians hundred of millions of dollars a year. And insurance fraud is rampant across the state.  Georgia is currently under-staffed in both the arson and fraud investigation units.  There are currently 12 arson investigators in the State Insurance Commissioner's office. Realistically, they need 25 or 30 to handle the caseload in Georgia.  Again, we need to think out of the box to find ways to put more arson investigators on the streets.

It's time for cities, counties and state to work together, in combating arson. Many cities and counties have arson investigators on staff. We should be able to find ways for the state to contract with these local municipalities and their arson investigators when needed. 

The state also needs to find ways to increase the number of fraud investigators in the Insurance Commissioner's office. There are currently four certified law enforcement fraud investigators -- down from 13 in 1997.The fraud unit could also use about 25 or 30 investigators, but in today's economy, it is not realistic to think funds would be available anytime soon.  However, we can look at innovative ways to put more investigators on the street.  Four of my 36 years at BellSouth were spent as a fraud investigator, and I want to take that energy to the state insurance commissioner's office.