Man Sentenced for Forgery and Insurance Fraud

press-releases

Filed February 26th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

An Illinois man has been sentenced to up to 25 years in prison for nine counts of forgery and insurance fraud in Iowa. Scott Lennington unlawfully endorsed insurance claim checks without consent, diverting funds for his own use. He received a suspended sentence, probation, fines, and must pay restitution.

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What changed

Scott Lennington, age 49, of Morton, IL, was sentenced on February 11, 2026, to a maximum of 25 years for nine counts of forgery and insurance fraud. Lennington acted as a public insurance adjuster and unlawfully endorsed insurance claim checks made payable jointly to himself and the insured parties, diverting the funds into his personal account without consent. The Iowa Insurance Division's Fraud Bureau investigated the case.

Lennington received a suspended sentence and will be placed on three years of probation. He was ordered to pay $9,225 in fines plus a crime services surcharge, complete 100 hours of community service, maintain employment or pursue education, submit a DNA sample, and participate in victim offender dialogue. Victim restitution will be determined later, and probation will not be discharged until all restitution is paid in full. Individuals with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division's Fraud Bureau.

What to do next

Review internal controls for handling joint insurance checks
Ensure all endorsements are properly authorized and consented to by all parties
Report any suspected insurance fraud to the Iowa Insurance Division's Fraud Bureau

Penalties

Up to 25 years imprisonment (suspended), 3 years probation, $9,225 in fines plus 15% crime services surcharge, victim restitution to be determined.

Source document (simplified)

Illinois Man Sentenced for Multiple Counts of Forgery

Thursday, February 26, 2026
Press Release

Des Moines – Scott Lennington, age 49, of Morton, IL, was sentenced on February 11, 2026, in Polk County, Iowa after being found guilty of nine counts of Forgery (Class D Felony) on November 25, 2025.

According to the criminal complaints filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, Lennington entered into agreements with the victims to act as their public insurance adjuster for claims related to the property damage at their residences. As a part of this agreement, Lennington represented the victims in submitted insurance claims for coverage of said damages.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that when the insurance company issued a claim payment that was made payable jointly to the insured and Lennington, Lennington unlawfully endorsed the checks without the knowledge or consent of the insured parties. There was never any agreement or right for Lennington to sign on behalf of the insured. Lennington then diverted the funds into his bank account he solely controlled.

Based on the separate and serious nature of the offenses, Lennington was sentenced to a period of imprisonment not to exceed five years for each of the nine counts. His sentence is not to exceed 25 years. The judge granted Lennington a suspended sentence and he will be placed on probation for a period of three years.

As part of his sentencing conditions, Lennington was ordered to pay a fine of $1,025 for each of the nine forgery counts, for a total of $9,225, alongside a 15% crime services surcharge. Lennington must also fulfill the following terms:

Complete 100 hours of community service within 365 days.
Obtain and maintain full-time employment, pursue full-time post-secondary study, or a combination of both.
Submit a DNA sample.
Participate in a Victim Offender Dialogue or Community Representative Dialogue, should the victim choose to participate. Victim pecuniary damages are to be determined at a later date, and Lennington will not be discharged from probation until all victim restitution is paid in full.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.