State Farm Tried to Nail Its Customers for Arson, but the Bad Guys Were Firefighters

Connie Hudison

My family feels your pain more than you know. We are going through a very similar situation now, involving our neighbors. We have no protection from law enforcement or the State Fire Department Agency. They have become as big a problem as our neighbor's to the point that we are in fear of living in our home for the past 3 years, yet still paying a mortgage. Our home was also underinsured with no living expenses on our policy. This is due to previous arsons on our property. Law enforcement agencies are condoning arson's in our neighborhood for the past 15 years. Now, how could you not catch an arsonist after 15 years?!!!! They admitted to my family and friends they know who the perpetrator's are but refuse to do anything about them. What they did do was arrest the homeowner for Arson/Insurance Fruad!! My family has incurred extensive monetary loss, emotional stress, our character is defamed and slandered. Our name has a "black mark" all over it according the the law. The criminal charges were eventually dropped. We than called the States Attorney's office asking to schedule an appointment to talk with them and show them evidence of who the arsonist is. We were denied an appointment. We have no option now but to pursue lawsuit ourselves. This "BLACK MARK" on our families credibility cleared. JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED....NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Puzzled

Wow! Quite a stumbling block State Farm has built themselves on. When the Johnson's win their case State Farm is going to fall really hard as no one will have faith in their already lost integrity.

Jimkate324

well done story

tr7fan

i hope these people finally got ot rebuild their home and are enjoying it. they sure deserve it after all the hassle ~

tr7fan

they screwed my daughter around for about a year over repairs to her car after being hit by someone insured by them. they allegedly "lost" the paperwork my daughter had sent in 3 times but i got in an ornery mood one day and got the name and number of the one handling the claim and "mysteriously" when my daughter called them "they didnt need the paperwork anymore theyd been jerkin her around for a year over 2000 whats so wierd is i called my agent and she helped me get the thing striaghtened out ive dealt with them before theyre jerks. this guy backed up into my 76 triumph tr7 with a pick up and when i demanded that the front bumper cover be replaced this jack**f body shop guy called em and toldem it should be totaled . so i had a go round with there agent and before it was done i got the 700 it cost to fix it and kept the car. got it fixed and went back to the body shop guy who tried to screw me to show em what nice job ANOTHER body shop did fixing it.

Beech

This family is my relation and I know that what they have gone thru can not be replaced by money this is a very loving family with 5 daughters who are going to remember what State Farm did to their parents The whole thing is upsetting firefighters who are crooks state farm being bullys and knowing what happened all the time. But God takes care of his children and he will take care of this family.I love you Cuz and do not ever let them beat you down So [roud of you for standing tall I know it has been a long hard 7 yearsYour Cuz Mark

Azdezyr4u

I used to work for Snake Farm Insurance. One day back in 1999 i simply had enough of their BS and walked out and went to work for USAA insurance. I have never looked back. If you want professional insurance choose the best...USAA.

Pearson1208

That's where I work and love it there

critical

The home was 'underinsured by a company agent'? These people were building their entire house on their own and did not know a proper replacement cost? They tried to skimp on insurance and lost the gamble. Suing for more money raises the rates for everybody. Thanks for that.

Swift2

You don't "chose" your price of home owners insurance. They have formulas used for figuring the right amounts of coverage. Based on sq ft. etc.. Why do you think they have adjusters? That is the job of the agent to make sure you are covered for the appropriate amounts, that's why you hire them, once the contract amount is figured the clients sign...they were never given anything to sign.... And the agent knows he underinsured that was already established. Moving along.

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AZruffrider

I've never been a consumer that is swayed by celebrities to go with one company or another, I'm not one that says well since Tiger Woods had a moral judgement failure and is tied to Nike I will not buy their product, I really could care less what celebrities do and in no shape or form is their behavior tied to the companies reputation. Where I do pay attention is when a giant of a company like State Farm goes after their customers like in this situation. I have been with State Farm for over 10+ yrs and let me tell you reading this story is really making me consider pulling ALL my business from the company. I hope that it was just a few rogue employees and NOT an indication of how the company treats their customers, because afterall its because of those customers that they are in business.

Amazed

This is not the first incident I've heard of involving State Farm, but it is definitely the worst!

Swift2

In this case, you would be shocked at the evidence regarding who is involved when it comes to state farm. You should read what former State farm employees have said about the very company they worked for in prior cases.

May I also add, (I wont say names) I know an agent that has been selling State farm for years and he even had to hire an attorney because State Farm was jerking around their very own on paying medical bills. Did they pay them, yes, after he had to go through fighting the very own people he puts the almighty dollar in the pockets of with an attorney. Sad. No, its not even sad, thats down right pathetic.

Some one posted down below a few links on State Farms "good neighbor ethics", if you get a chance you might read them.

Swift2

In answer to the letters. It was a letter typed by Lilian from Bank one. All the letter was was an accounting letter. Amount paid, date, contractor name etc.. She set it up in Mrs. Johnson computer while at her home talking bank investments. She told Mrs. Johnson she should always send that letter with her payment to the contractors. Beings the checks were coming from Bank One, Mrs. Johnson didn't see any sort of fraud being done, after all it was her banker telling her to do this. She was even nice enough to leave letter head with her. When Mrs. Johnson got a call that she was being accused of bank fraud, she called Lilian, only to find she doesn't exist. And the number on her business card was a non working number. Obviously this all got cleared up or she would of been charged with bank fraud. The letter was in no way of any harm to the bank itself. They filed no charges. If you can't smell "frame"...then you need your nostrils checked.

LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR............

Kit Carson

Uh-huh,

Before there was as fire, before there was a dispute about what was destroyed in that fire, the bank and the insurance company sought out to "frame" the good family because ... why?

Rather than run around whining that anyone who disagrees with you must be a member of the police or fire departments, or worse is an idiot, you really need to take a moment to think clearly about what you are writing.

Just because she tried to scam people with the bank letter does not make her an arsonist, but apologist such as you, with your "say-anything" approach to trying to clear her just make her look worse, not better.

You make supporting her seem like the position of a weak mind, at best, and a liar, at worst.

If I had no opinion, and read your posts, I'd be opposite her pretty quick. Heck, I don't think she engaged in arson, and I'm intellectually offended by your posts.

So ask yourself, you want to make it better or worse for your beloved Mrs. Johnson?

Swift2

Mr. Pot,

1. Who said the bank themselves were out to "frame" them? They knew they were scammed and the Johnson to this day still bank with them. Someone portraying themselves as a bank one employee "scammed" them. Who said state farm was out to "frame" them? they just used this unfortunate situation against them in the dirtiest way they could.

2. There is a difference between whining and defending. Look both words up in the dictionary.

3. If you can't see through your rose colored glass that they were victims of bank fraud and not the ones acting as frauds, then you sir have a very weak mind "at best".

4. I could never make anything worse for "my beloved Mrs. Johnson" she has been through hell as well as her whole family in the past 7-8 yrs. A hell you have no comprehension of. A debate session (if you could call this that) is hardly harmful to the facts in black and white.

But I see you are still "whining", or are you merely defending "your" comments?

Ms. Kettle

Kit Carson

Let me guess - you think alligators live in the sewers ... you're just batshitcrazy, unable to come up with intelligent argument you pathetically resort to conspiracy theories.

Ciaoaztn

Let me guess-- you are a lame ass cheating scamming fireman too aren't you? What a crock of crap --if you ask me that Bolley and Arnold guy were probably in on it too. Typical firemen--defending each other even when they know their "brother" is a scum bag or as in this case , an arsonist.

Kit Carson

Given your post is replete with grammar errors, I think pot,kettle.black is a great way of responding to your accusation of "very weak mind, at best." Indeed, you have one tell that assures me you never graduated from college (or at least not a very good one.)

You're rude and non-persuasive. You are making things worse. The more people read your feeble efforts the more they are likely to think there must be some fire behind the smoke you're laying down.

Only a weak mind would accept the story of the mysterious banker who shows up, drops off some corporate stationary, shows how that can be used to fraudulently convey that contractors are being paid from fictitious improvement loams and then disappears into the night.

It lacks even the hint of plausibility.

It was a scam - and by harping on it all you are doing is reminding us how the Johnson's are capable of bad acts.

We all have flaws and we all make bad decisions (like you posting here) and sometimes those decisions make us susceptible to wrongful accusations.

That's the real moral here: don't scam on the small stuff because it hurts your credibility about the big stuff.

But, perhaps I do have a weak mind. After all, I don't think the Johnson's torched their own home, nor do I think they were treated fairly by the police or the insurance company.

For some bizarre reason that my weak mind cannot comprehend, you seem to want to fight over that conclusion, though it seems to mirror your own.

Don't you think it's better to keep your allies than to alienate them?

Swift2

Did a little checking into Mr. Kit. Your in every story bashing someone if not the writer someone that has commented. Doesn't surprise me.

Dsfg

You, too, think you're crazy?

Swift2_

Well if that don't beat all, you and I have something in common. :)

Kit Carson

Feeling hyperbolic this morning, are you?

But point well taken - I don't suffer fools well, as you are now experiencing.

Swift2

And obviously you wish to "whine" as well or you wouldn't be responding to MY comments. A bit of the pot calling the kettle black don't you think?

You "THINK" she didn't engage in arson? lol Not even going to waste my time on that comment. You are obviously having an issue with the truth as most narrow minded people do.

How is a letter showing the amount and date of an enclosed check scamming people? Scamming them of what?

I find it interesting that YOU find them fraudulent or as you put it "scammers", when not even the bank filed or pursued Mrs. Johnson in this matter.

You would need to understand the time lines of the "dispute", "bank letter", "fire", "state farm". Again, you don't know the whole story (or do you?) and New Times threw out bits an pieces. I believe you made comments to the writer as well? Seems you have very strong issues with this story, I wonder why????? ;)

Kelly

All I see is some rude, ignorant jerk who claims to be a friend of the family writing a bunch of lies. If you're cool with that, then, hey, give her all the support you can.

I like it when liars are shot down, so I'm cool with this biatch getting the pimp hand.

Kit Carson

Big words? Only if you didn't made it past sixth grade.

Kit Carson

Read above - I don't suffer fools well. Swift2 is either a fool or a liar, I'm just trying to determine which.

Ruckusontheloose

Kit, the only thing I see you doing in here is bashing some friend of the family. Stick to the story line. Whether Swift2 is right or wrong who cares. No fire fighter has the right to burn down a families home, I don't care what they did. And you have done nothing but make yourself look like a pompous asshole with all your big words. Your the last person in the blogging that should be giving anyone advise.

Amazed

You know what is just crazy? You're asking Swift2 to stop commenting, but yet you just blaze on trying to engage further in a debate. Clearly, you don't know the parties involved personally... Swift2 is just defending someone they care about. What's your excuse?

Kit Carson

"Under our signature" is a common business expression for "send it out as if it came from us and it will have our full authority and weight."

It does not literally mean "sign my name."

You don't know something so basic, but you do know all the intricacies of the law of fraud and arson? Really? You want us to trust your analysis of the larger issues when you can't even get the small ones right?

Kit Carson

Talk about weak minds - someone disagrees with you so they must be part of a larger conspiracy. Yea, I'm the one that wrote the Johnsons were victims of arson, who thinks Brewster should have used the courts if he felt he was shorted and who expressed delight that the meth-heads who actually did the torching (for reasons unknown or unproven) were convicted.

So, then, what side am I on?

Before you go all tin-foil head on everyone, do you even bother to think it just may be an honest disagreement based on the limited facts presented in somewhat sloppily written article?

Kit Carson

No one is defending the firefighters, so there is no one to castigate for lapses in logic or cogent thought.

Your naked declarations that this kind of fraud happen all the time stands in stark contrast to what I know to be true as a lawyer.

This is another example of how you are hurting the cause - when you just make shit up that thinks sounds persuasive, it just makes you sound like someone who will lie or say anything to get out of a jam - even one as petty as an Internet discussion.

If you'll lie here, where else will you lie and what else have you lied about in other posts?

Swift2

While your in the dictionary, look up hard head.

The bank employees that know the Johnsons were very kind to them. They see this sort of "fraud" all the time. Johnson's are hardly the first family this has happen too. But you wouldn't know that unless you had all the facts Mr. Kit. The bank finds the Johnson's victims of fraud not the other way around. THAT is why it was never "legally" prosecuted.

You spend more time attacking the Johnson for a letter and myself for defending them on stupidity such as yours, than you do fire fighters burning down a home. Or an Insurance co.'s bad faith and wrong doings. Your childish like ways of getting upset at the Johnson's over what a friend says shows your character as well. That is simply a case of narrow mindedness.

Swift2

You just proved to me everything I suspected. How you know things that were not even in this story is enough to tell me everything about yourself. Look at the letter again, there is no signature.

Kit Carson

Two wrongs make a right? I'm not here to defend Brewster. As I wrote, he should have gone to the courts if he felt he was wronged.

Only a fool or a liar would try to rehabilitate the tarnished reputation of one scammer by point fingers at another.

You're just making it worse.

Kit Carson

Some advice for Swift2: When you find yourself in a ditch, quit digging.

My post directly answered yours - I find it unfuckingbelievable that anyone with an IQ over 70 would claim that the Bank Letter was a frame job IN ADVANCE of the fire.

If the Johnson's are as nice and as smart as you claim, then they had to know a bank doesn't just show up with letterhead and say "Here, have some, send it out under our signature."

Your claim is incredulous.

Yes, I don't think she is an arsonist. That's the only side I logically can take, as you note, I don't have all the facts. Because you're so full of hate and bile you take exception even with those who agree with you.

The word I used was scam - and that is exactly what she tried to do. It may not have been prosecuted as an illegal scam, but it certainly was a scam. Let's go to the dictionary:

SCAM: fraud or confidence trick.

The letters were fraudulent. Period. They did not originate with from the Bank. She used those fraudulent letters in the course of her business negotiations. She is a scammer - just not likely one that is also an arsonist.

With every post you hurt the Johnson's case. As someone who thinks they were treated very poorly, and who is happy the meth heads who confessed got convicted, I wish you would stop because you're making me wonder about them - after all, what does it say about them that they have friends like you?

Swift2

And don't forget, with documentation of PROOF that Brewster was paid for his shotty work, why didn't he pay his fellow co workers (fire fighters) with any of that money instead of "lieing" to them that he never got a dime? And the Johnson's are scammers? ok.

Svx

Swift2, Don't get too upset about what is being posted here. Many of these posts are from other firefighters and policemen that are in the same side business as the ones just convicted. This is their way of providing cover for their pals. What's scary is these are the people that we are paying with our taxes to protect us.

Swift2

Thank Svx. I appreciate your comments. Im not mad though, just frustrated at the stupidity of people.

Guest

"Frustrated by the stupidity"

Hey - common ground. That's how we feel reading your shit.

Svx

Firefighters in the Phoenix Metro area have been doing "Contractor Sidework" for years using their credentials as firefighters to land lucrative construction jobs. They then pursuade homeowners to use other firefighter contractors for additional work. Most of them don't have the experience background to get a licence from the Registrar of Contractors but that doesn't stop them because the Registrar doesn't check their experience records. This story is just the tip of the iceberg on what has been going on in Phoenix Metro for years in regards to Firefighters operating construction companies on the side. Owner/Builders BEWARE if a contractor shows up at your doorstep with a Firefighters Sticker on their window or a Firefighter Plate on their vehicle you would be well advised to look to professional contractors that do it on a full time basis.

Swift2

HERE LET ME HELP YOU WITH THE HARD ONES:

Court and other records show that none of the Johnsons' subcontractors, including Brewster, filed lawsuits, liens, or other public complaints against the Johnsons. TOP OF PAGE 5 PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

K9cop918

What's the whole story on the BankOne letters? Was she convinced by someone that they were legit to send, or did she make them herself and send them hoping it would get repairs done?

Also, do they plan on rebuilding? With the money they got, and the current state of the economy, I'm sure they could rebuild. There are plenty of legit contractors that would work for way less than there old rates. Trust me, I know as I have had work done...

K9cop918

Seems like everyone involved was up to some sort of fraud in some way. Of course, the ones who did the Arson were the top of the idiot list, and State Farm, although had a right to investigate, really went to far and tied up more money in lawsuits than they should have.

It wasn't a win or ethical for anyone involved. Maybe next time everyone (well State Farm won't because they are just to big) will think about their actions before the do something next time.

K9cop918

I want to hear more about these so called fraudulent letters. The ones from BankOne. Ya, these Firefighters took steps that ruined a families dreams, but I think this story has so many twists and turns that it could be a book and if written with certain words, could make either side look bad.

What if these guys were not Firefighters, would it have gotten the same attention? What if they hired a contractor who wasn't a firefighter, would this have even made the media? Probably not. We as Americans hold Firefighters to a higher standard, of which we should, but it plays a huge roll in this story.

Did she actually give letters to this Brewster guy that were allegedly from BankOne? Apparently she did as she addressed the fact of some woman claiming to be from BankOne and wanting her to invest in something. If she did this, than yes, that is wrong and fraudulent. Does it rise to the level of a serious crime or anything close to the level of having their home burnt? No, but it would be morally wrong. This is why I would have liked to hear more about it.

Also, I think we should hear more about any lawsuits filed by Brewster against the family, if there were any, in order to claim his due monies. If he did file some sort of suit, and lost, why? This would go a long way with explaining the work he did and if it was up to par or if he had any money due to him.

Of course I am a very detail orientated person and always want to hear all the story and read all the evidence and reports and examine all the theories, suggestions, facts and use that to come to my own opinion. I also understand how doing that in this situation (for the purpose of a New Times story) would make the article way to long to read for a publication like this. That being said, I enjoyed it but it did leave me with a lot of unanswered questions. I do agree that State farm committed some forms of bad faith, but don't blame them for their initial concerns.

Swift2

The majority think the Johnson's are corrupt? And in which way are they corrupt? What did they do? Oh and please don't be ignorant as the others by saying "they didn't pay the contractors", if you do, you must go back and read the story again, you forgot a page.

As for the "swift2" must be a family member..guess again. Just like your "guessing" comment below, \ I am NOT a family member. I am a very long time family friend. I have known this family for years, I know their Character. And I have every right to comment on ANY negative comments attacking my very close friends or comment on any possitive. If you read closely there is a "reply" tab just for that purpose. If YOU have a problem with me remarking about negative comments such as yours, then don't post, but don't expect me to not defend myself and my comments or replys. I have not been foul, but I have been defensive and have every right with stupidity, that's why they have a reply tab :) Isn't freedom of speech a wonderful thing :)

Nanutah

I have been close friend with the Johnson's since 1987. Close neighbors for 10 of those years. I have always known them to be honest HARD working people. They run their own business, being self employed. They don't and haven't asked for handout during this whole ordeal, have never asked any of their friends for any financial help. This isn't over yet, and even though from the article it seems like they have gotten some monies, they had to catch up on every day living because of the fire and the flood. Daily living, attorney fees, and major expenses from their expert witnesses. I know that the last 7 years have been pure HELL for the Johnson's. Having your name and integrity dragged through the mud. THEY are the victims here. Having your home destroyed just days before moving in/Christmas. They are lucky to have lived to tell the tell. I hope this spreads virally so that people know how State Farm really treats it's clients. I know that (swift2) is a close family friend also and NOT a member of the Johnson Family

Swift2

We feel like family though huh Nan :)

Lee

I love reading the comments of these stories and this one was particularly interesting because it seems the majority think the Johnson family is a pretty bad and corrupt family. The worst part is that the person who keeps replying and defending them (swift2) is extremely foul and rude and so defensive, which makes me believe that it is one of the family members. If you can't take the heat, don't tell your story. Now the whole valley, or anyone reading this probably thinks you all are not as perfect as you think you are. Not knowing you, but just reading the responses from you, I find it very hard to believe that you never did one thing wrong AT ALL and you were perfect angels and THEN ALL this bad stuff happened to you for no reason at all. Just doesn't add up. A lot of people that put a "like" thumbs up, was really for all the comments that think this family isn't so "wonderful." Just my thoughts. I'm sure Swift2 aka Johnsons will be replying in response, just watch. If it was just a family friend, they would not be so defensive. So basically, you can only write a good comment and praise the family and tell them how sorry you are, or else they will snap right back. Kind of explains the personalities of these two. I can see how things got so heated.

Missarizona

Not so. I'm a family friend, and I feel the need to defend these people because I know their character. They are outstanding, warm, and loving people.

Emotions run high because there are so many things wrong with what happened to them!!! Anytime there is an injustice like this, people are going to be heated about it. That's normal! I'm not saying it's an excuse for being rude, but I haven't seen anything posted yet from friends of the family that was really rude or unprovoked at least.

I don't see how you can say the Johnson family is corrupt. They were victims here. At the very least, can't you agree that the people responsible for what happened to them should be held accountable for their actions?

Swift2

How funny you say you like reading the "comments". Then focus on attempting to bash me. Yet not a word about the story, such as State Farm, the firefighters. Just shows what clan you are hiding behind :) At least I am open and honest to say I AM A FRIEND. And any of my friends would go to bat for me in a heart beat. Sorry you can't rely on friends having your back.......