A 39-year-old Texas man has pleaded guilty to one count of wire mail fraud in a federal criminal case in the Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced this week.
In October 2009, Andy 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. After he exited the vehicle he left the motor running, which resulted in the engine taking on large amounts of salt water, thus destroying the vehicle, according to a releas issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
House told first responders that he was reaching for his cell phone and was distracted by birds when he swerved and accidentally drove into the bay, according to the release.
On Nov. 12, 2009, House called the insurance company and filed a $2.2 million claim on the Bugatti. What House didn't know that someone taped the incident, including the moment House purposefully drove the vehicle into the water.
The video was posted on YouTube for the world to see.
Based on the video, investigators were able to determine there were no birds nearby and that the incident was no accident.
A sentencing date has not been set yet, though House faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
House and his insurer, whom he accused of misleading him in writing the policy on the Veyron, settled their case in 2013.
House owned a business repairing exotic vehicles before the Bugatti incident.
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