Auto Insurance Fraud Investigation Leads to Conviction

November 7, 2025
Source: https://www.marincounty.gov/news-releases/auto-insurance-fraud-investigation-leads-conviction

Marin County, CA – A Marin County resident was sentenced November 5, 2025, in Superior Court to serve 180 days in Marin County Jail and two years of probation. 

The Marin County District Attorney’s Office filed multiple insurance fraud charges against Denni Rodas Diaz, 33, on February 6, 2025. On September 24th, Rodas Diaz pled guilty to two felony violations of Penal Code section 550(a)(4),Filing a False Insurance Claim. 

At the November 5th sentencing hearing, Rodas Diaz was placed on a two-year grant of supervised probation during which he must complete 40 hours of community service as well as a theft awareness class, among other requirements. Additionally, Rodas Diaz will be remanded on December 3rd to serve 180 days in the Marin County Jail. Should Rodas Diaz fail to complete the terms of his probation, he faces up to five years in prison. 

Over a span of two years from 2021 to 2023, Rodas Diaz had filed five insurance claims based on pre-existing damage to his vehicle and staged “accidents.” Rodas Diaz had enlisted Ronald Morales, 44, who previously lived with Rodas Diaz, and a third individual to stage the fake accidents. Rodas Diaz’s insurance company conducted an investigation and determined through photographic evidence that the involved vehicles had the same damage prior to the staged accident dates.

Morales and the other accomplice both were charged with insurance fraud offenses. In July 2025, Morales pled guilty to a felony violation of Penal Code section 550(a)(4) and was placed on probation for two years with requirements to serve 90 days in the Marin County Jail, complete 80 hours of community service, and pay a $3,000 fine. The other accomplice failed to appear in court and has an active warrant for his arrest.

The DA’s Office would like to remind the public that reporting false information to an auto insurance carrier when making an insurance claim constitutes insurance fraud. A person still can be prosecuted for fraud even if the claim is paid out despite the insurance company suspecting fraud. Auto insurance fraud is a felony that can result in a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a $50,000 fine.