Billings resident David Casagrande agreed to pay a $5,000 fine and $25,000 in restitution to Safeco Insurance in a consent agreement with the State Auditor and Montana Insurance Commissioner John Morrison.
       Safeco alleged that Casagrande had committed insurance fraud stemming from a July 1998 burglary at his business, Montana Territory Meats. The initial loss report indicated damage at the business to be $1,025, but in a claim filed a month later, Casagrande reported losses of more than $62,000.
      The State Auditor's Office alleged that Casagrande had inflated the cost of a stolen scale, faked a loss of about 11,000 pounds of meat and claimed damage to a freezer door that was broken prior to the burglary.
      Casagrande waived his right to a hearing on the allegations. He agreed to pay the fine and restitution, but denied the allegations of the State Auditor's Office.