San Francisco Towing Operator Charged with Insurance Fraud

Jose Vicente Badillo, owner of several towing companies in San Francisco, has been charged in a second federal insurance fraud case involving two elaborate schemes to defraud auto insurance companies. The first scheme involved Badillo and co-defendants Kirill Afanasyev, Jaime Respicio, and Jason Naraja submitting a false claim for a wrecked car purchased in 2019, where Badillo falsely documented a tow from a staged crash site, leading to a reimbursement of over $47,800. The second scheme included a staged multi-car accident in San Mateo County, where all defendants made misleading statements to obtain fraudulent claims, despite one being denied. The indictment highlights Badillo's prior legal troubles, including previous charges of money laundering and fraud, as federal authorities intensify scrutiny on his operations. The U.S. Attorney's Office continues to investigate the network of fraudulent activities linked to his towing companies, which include Auto Towing and Jose's Towing. This ongoing legal saga underscores the serious implications of insurance fraud in the auto industry.