BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A woman who appeared on an episode of 'Judge Judy' is under investigation state insurance investigators after admitting to vandalizing her own vehicle on the episode.
Investigators are requesting the episode related to the case that was recorded Sept. 25, 2019. According to the court documents, a fraud referral was filed by one of the parties with the California Department of Insurance in October 2019.
On April 7, 2019, the person-of-interest sold a 2006 Honda Accord to a colleague for $4,000 and a contract stating there would be monthly payments of $200 until the vehicle was paid off, according to the filings. The person-of-interest also required her colleague carry full coverage on the vehicle.
According to court documents, the person-of-interest was having financial difficulties in August 2019 and demanded her colleague pay the entire contract in full. Her colleague said she would continue to make the $200 payments as outlined in the contract.
The person-of-interest then walked onto her colleague's driveway and vandalized the vehicle by using a crowbar to smash the car’s front and rear windshields, according to court filings. The person-of-interest later reportedly admitted to this on the 'Judge Judy' episode.
The colleague sued and was awarded $1,630 for the money paid toward the vehicle, according to the documents. The person-of-interest attempted to counter-sue for scratches found on the rear bumper of the vehicle but was denied by the court.
On the same day they appeared on 'Judge Judy', the person-of-interest also filed a claim with GEICO saying Lake’s daughter drove the vehicle and damaged its rear bumper, according to the filings.
The colleague explained to GEICO representatives that the person-of-interest admitted damaging the vehicle, and the claim was denied.
