Christopher C. Brown, 47, from Cordova, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for his involvement in a $5.9 million insurance fraud scheme. Brown was also ordered to pay $5,214,302 in restitution. The sentence was announced by Reagan Fondren, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
Brown’s fraudulent activities involved making false claims to four insurance companies over several years. His scheme began while he operated a music recording business in Memphis. He first claimed over $340,000 from Main Street Assurance Company for alleged water damage and burglary at his business. After Main Street paid the claims, Brown acquired insurance from Markel Corporation for the same location and claimed $2,840,000 for purported fire damage, which was also paid.
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Brown then created a limited liability corporation, Tattooed Millionaire Entertainment (TME), enabling him to hide his prior claims while applying for new insurance. Through TME, he bought another property in Memphis, previously the House of Blues recording studio, and obtained insurance from Hanover American Insurance Company. He later filed a claim for arson damage to this property, receiving $2,200,000 from Hanover.
Additionally, Brown secured vehicle insurance from Progressive Insurance for a 1985 diesel bus and claimed it was stolen, receiving $109,580 in settlement. Throughout these transactions, Brown submitted false documents to the insurance companies.
In September 2023, Brown pled guilty to mail fraud. On October 17, 2024, United States District Court Judge Samuel H. Mays sentenced him to 27 months of incarceration, followed by two years of supervised release. Brown must also pay restitution of over $5 million. The federal system does not offer parole.
Acting U.S. Attorney Fondren emphasized the detrimental impact of such fraud schemes on insurance companies and policyholders, stating that these actions increase insurance costs and hinder access to necessary coverage. Inspector in Charge Tommy D. Coke from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Atlanta Division, remarked on the misuse of U.S. Mail in the fraud, underscoring the seriousness of the crime and the agency’s commitment to accountability.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. Prosecutors David Pritchard and Tony Arvin led the case on behalf of the government.
For more information, contact the media relations team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow updates from the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or X at @WDTNNews.
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