Lawsuit alleges Springdale company burned building for $700k insurance claim

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A Florida-based insurance company recently filed a lawsuit against a Springdale business for allegedly setting fire to their own building and collecting nearly $700,000 in insurance money.

National Trust Insurance Co. sued L&E Consulting, LLC in federal court claiming it or its owner “intentionally concealed or misrepresented material facts associated with the claimed loss,” according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit said, “Defendant is barred from recovery under the Policy because Defendant, through its owner and representative Tommy Goforth, concealed or misrepresented material facts regarding the claimed loss.”

National Trust said it’s entitled to recover the $699,520 it paid in a claim from L&E due to a breach of the policy’s conditions and fraud.

The Springdale Police Department responded to a fire around 10 p.m. on April 8, 2023, at 2757 East Robinson Avenue, according to a social media post .

The building, owned by L&C was operated under the name Elite Equipment was among two buildings engulfed in flames.

SFD said the situation was declared under control just before 11:30 p.m., the post said.

National Trust is demanding a trial by jury.

KNWA/FOX24 reached out to L&C for comment using the phone number listed on the company’s Facebook page. The call went to a recording that said the number has changed and the new number is unknown.

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