A Rockwell man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.
Authorities say 39-year-old Joseph Starr was charged on March 24 with two counts of acting as a public adjuster without a license and one count of insurance fraud—presenting false information, a Class D felony.
According to criminal complaints, Starr, an employee of Sibling Construction, is accused of performing unlicensed public adjusting work while also acting as a contractor. Investigators allege he negotiated insurance claims on behalf of clients with both Farm Bureau Financial Services and Osage Insurance—actions that would financially benefit both himself and his employer.
Officials further allege that Starr submitted invoices seeking payment for work that had not yet been completed.
Starr was arrested March 27 and booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail.
Under Iowa law, contractors who perform repair work are prohibited from acting as public adjusters on the same insurance claims. The Iowa Insurance Division encourages residents to verify licensed public adjusters through its official website.
The case remains under investigation, and authorities say no additional details will be released at this time. Anyone with information related to insurance fraud is encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.
Full press release here
