LOS ANGELES : Fraud Suspect Allegedly Tried to Have Witness Killed
A Santa Clarita lawyer jailed in one of the largest auto insurance fraud cases in California history is suspected of putting out a contract to kill the main witness against him, authorities said Monday.
The witness, who said he had been taught how to stage auto accidents, is under protection in a secret location, court documents revealed.
Lawyer Alan Michael Shapiro, 42, was arrested last week--along with law partner Warren M. Finn of Marina del Rey and two alleged associates--and accused of masterminding a fraud ring that earned each millions of dollars in insurance settlements from staged accidents and exaggerated injuries.
In addition to insurance fraud and related money laundering charges, Shapiro is under investigation on suspicion of solicitation to commit murder, said Deputy Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Richard Rosenthal.
Shapiro lawyer John A. Colucci did not return calls seeking comment.
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