Fraud Ringleader and Former Fugitive William Mize Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

Inmate in jailPhoto byPhoto by RDNE Stock project

SPOKANE, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that William Oldham Mize has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, tax fraud, and failing to appear at court proceedings. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice accepted Mize’s guilty plea and scheduled a sentencing hearing for November 6, 2024, in Spokane, Washington.

According to the plea agreement and other court filings, Mize was the ringleader of a massive insurance fraud scheme that involved intentionally causing automobile and boat collisions, as well as staging home “accidents,” to file false and fraudulent insurance claims and collect the proceeds. The scheme, which spanned from 2013 to 2018, involved numerous staged collisions in Washington and Nevada and resulted in over $6 million in fraudulent claims, most of which Mize kept for himself.

Mize initially appeared in federal court on January 9, 2019, following his indictment. He was released pending trial but fled supervision in July 2019, becoming a fugitive and living under multiple false identities. On November 28, 2023, the U.S. Marshals apprehended Mize in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was attempting to sell a yacht under a false identity. He was arrested at a marina in central Florida and transported back to Eastern Washington, where he has remained in custody.

“Mr. Mize attempted, but ultimately failed, to avoid the consequences of his fraudulent and dangerous schemes,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Over several years, Mr. Mize defrauded insurance companies out of millions of dollars by staging fake accidents that caused real, physical harm to his co-conspirators and others. These schemes greatly increase insurance premiums and costs for everyone, making it more expensive for ordinary Americans to own a car and have reliable transportation for themselves and their families. I am grateful for the excellent investigative work by our law enforcement partners and prosecutors in my office, as well as the tireless dedication of the U.S. Marshals to locate and return Mr. Mize to the Eastern District, where he finally will be held accountable for the great harm caused by his fraudulent scheme.”

Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office, emphasized the dedication of law enforcement in bringing Mize to justice. “This case demonstrates the dedication of the FBI, the U.S. Marshals, IRS Criminal Investigation, and all our law enforcement partners to hold fraudsters and fugitives accountable no matter how long the process takes or how far they run,” said Collodi. “Mr. Mize pleaded guilty today after a multi-year, multi-million dollar scheme, followed by years of hiding from the law.”

“Preventing auto accidents requires communal effort, and safety is something we all strive for. Mr. Mize, on the other hand, chose to travel a different path,” said Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI), Seattle Field Office. “Going on the run, Mr. Mize tried to escape the consequences of his actions. Today, however, is the end of the road, and Mr. Mize is being held accountable for his crimes.”

Gavin K. Duffy, Chief Deputy United States Marshal for Eastern Washington, highlighted the teamwork involved in Mize’s capture. “The United States Marshals Service worked as one team with the IRS and the FBI in this case to relentlessly pursue this fugitive until he was apprehended, in spite of his resources and intent to avoid capture,” stated Duffy. “While this case has garnered significant attention, the partnership and teamwork between local, state, and federal agencies occur every day in Eastern Washington to maximize both the benefit to our community and to ensure the Rule of Law is maintained.”

The FBI, Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Jeremy J. Kelley are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.