Marcel John LaPlante, of Winnipeg, entered a guilty plea yesterday in provincial court to fraud over $5,000 and impaired driving.

LaPlante, 27, was fined a total of $2,600 and signed a promissory note to Manitoba Public Insurance in the amount of $11,600.

CIRCUMSTANCES:

On April 13, 2001, LaPlante was the operator of a pick-up truck in St. Vital when he struck another vehicle at a Winnipeg intersection. LaPlante, who admitted to drinking heavily that evening, fled the scene of the accident and drove to his home.

In an attempt to avoid apprehension, LaPlante then took the truck to the outskirts of Winnipeg and set it on fire. He later filed a stolen vehicle report with the Winnipeg Police Service and opened a theft claim with Manitoba Public Insurance.

Due to the nature of the claim, an investigation was opened by the Special Investigation Unit of Manitoba Public Insurance. Based on information obtained, LaPlante was subsequently charged with fraud over $5,000 and driving while impaired.

“Insurance fraud is a serious offence,” the judge told LaPlante. “Innocent people should not have to pay for the criminal actions of a few.”

Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is committed to protecting Autopac customers from the cost of insurance fraud.

The MPI Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is mandated to investigate suspicious or fraudulent claims.

Working closely with MPI adjusters and local law enforcement agencies, SIU investigates a variety of suspicious claims involving hit and run, fire, theft and bodily injury.

SIU investigations result in savings for Manitoba Public Insurance customers averaging over $3 million per year in claims that otherwise might have been paid out in connection with fraudulent or inflated claims.

Contact:
Brian Smiley/Twila Allen
Media Relations
Manitoba Public Insurance
(204) 985-7678/7300 or 1-888-554-9549 (toll-free in Manitoba)