Suspected Ringleader Pleads Guilty To Auto Insurance Fraud

A Chatham County man accused of being the lead architect of one of the state's largest auto insurance fraud cases pleaded guilty Monday to charges connected with the case.

Frankie Alston admitted he organized a scheme that cost insurers an estimated $2 million. Investigators said Alston was one of six people who staged accidents in Chatham and Randolph counties.

The suspects filed at least 480 fraudulent claims since 1992.

Alston will spend at least six years in prison.