RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina man was arrested after state officials said he falsely claimed a McDonald's worker left a hair on his hamburger, making him sick.
The North Carolina Department of Insurance said Ronnie Bernard Truesdale sent a manipulated image to Zurich North America, an insurer for Mcdonald's, to show there was a hair in his burger. Truesdale filed a claim for pain and suffering, as well as $1,595 in medical expenses to Wake Medical Center, according to the arrest warrant.
Investigators said Truesdale claimed eating the burger made him nauseous. An investigation found that the hair was actually placed on the burger after the wrapper was removed.
Truesdale, 41, was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense in connection with the incidents. Investigators said the offenses happened between Oct. 15, 2020, and March 16, 2021.
"Insurance fraud hurts consumers," North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said. "Approximately 20% of your insurance premium goes to cover the cost of fraud. That’s why I’m aggressively pursuing and prosecuting insurance fraud in North Carolina.”
Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Stitcher || TuneIn || Google Podcasts
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.
