Jacksonville principal accused of trying to steal $16,000 from State Farm

A Jacksonville school principal turned himself into the Clay County Sheriff's Office after he reportedly tried to collect $16,000 in phony insurance payments after Hurricane Irma.

Officials said that Darrell Perry, the principal of Timucuan Elementary in Jacksonville, submitted fake invoices to State Farm for alleged damages to his home. Perry altered two invoices and fabricated another for fake repairs, officials said.

Perry faces five years in jail.

"Lying about hurricane damage while many Floridians lost everything during Hurricane Irma is sickening," Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said. "Insurance fraud takes money from Florida families with legitimate claims and drives up insurance rates for us all.
"As many Floridians recover from Hurricane Michael that impacted our state one month ago, I want to put everyone on notice: If you choose to commit insurance fraud to make a quick buck, you will be thrown in jail."

Duval County Public School's sent this statement:
"We have the highest expectations of our educators. Mr. Perry has been reassigned to a role off campus, with no contact with students pending the outcome of our concurrent investigation. 
"Mr. Perry started with the district July 2000. He has served as an assistant principal, vice principal and principal."

Cox Media Group