Angelina County Man Guilty in Wire Fraud Scheme

Topics:  Bugatti Veyron

U.S. Attorney’s Office
26 August 2014

BEAUMONT, TX—A 39-year-old Lufkin, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Andy Lee House pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with wire mail fraud today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin.

According to information presented in court, in October 2009, House purchased a 2006 Bugatti Veyron for $1 million and had it insured for $2.2 million. On Nov. 11, 2009, House drove the vehicle into the Gulf Bay near La Marque, Texas, and upon exiting the Bugatti, left the motor running, resulting in the engine taking on large amounts of salt water which destroyed the vehicle. House reported to first responders he was reaching for his cell phone when he swerved and accidently drove into the bay. On Nov. 12, 2009, House called the insurance company and filed a $2.2 million claim on the Bugatti. However, House did not know that another motorist had videoed the accident, including the moment House drove the vehicle into the water, and then posted the video to YouTube.

House faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lufkin Police Department, the Texas Rangers, the Department of Public Safety-Criminal Investigation Division, and the Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Tortorice.