Fire Inspector Arrested of Fraud Scheme
When a criminal commits fraud or misrepresentation, they will be charged by a prosecutor with either misdemeanors or felonies. The lies that are used in fraud are used to get money that the victim would not have paid if they were aware of the truth.
Miami fraud attorney Hassett & Associates, P.A. have represented many individuals who have been charged with fraud. An example of the type of fraud and misrepresentation that the firm represents is the case below of Jeffrey Warren Lowman, who has another Miami criminal defense lawyer.
Recently in Miami, Jeffrey Warren Lowman, a code enforcement officer for the Miami-Dade fire-rescue department, was arrested for several counts of fraud. His county fire inspection job required to inspect businesses and apartment buildings on a regular schedule to identify possible risks to employees, tenants and the public.
Violations such as lack of handrails in stairways, missing or not working fire extinguishers or not maintaining fire hoses in good condition are just a few of the many possible violations he was charged with identifying.
Lowman did a good job as an inspector. However, he also had a business on the side as a fire inspection consultant of which his employers had no knowledge. Prosecutors charge that Lowman would first identify a violation and then provide his services to the violator via Florida Fire Inspection Consultants, of which he was the sole employee, to repair violations.
It is estimated that, because of his services to fix deficiencies, the county lost more than $40,000 in fines. Of course, that does not take into account the fact that otherwise violators may have found another service to do the same thing, thus avoiding the fines. Lowman was charged with 1 count of unlawful compensation, a second-degree felony and 10 counts each of third-degree felonies involving official misconduct and grand theft.
Whether or not Mr. Lowman is guilty of the charges, there is no doubt that he needs a first-rate criminal defense lawyer. If you or someone you know is charged with fraud or misrepresentation and you need a Ft. Lauderdale or Miami criminal defense lawyer, consider Hassett & Associates. They are experienced with defense of persons charged with crimes like fraud and misrepresentation. They will defend your rights and give you the benefit of a vigorous defense.
