SPRINGDALE, Ark. — An insurance company based in Florida has filed a lawsuit against a Springdale business for allegedly lighting their own building on fire and collecting $700,000 in fraudulent insurance money.
On the evening of April 8, 2023, the Springdale Fire Department (SFD) was dispatched to a fire at 2757 East Robinson Avenue.
The building, owned by L&E Consulting LLC and operating under the name Elite Equipment, was heavily engulfed in flames, with fire coming through the roof and walls, prompting the SFD to call in the Fayetteville Fire Department (FFD) for assistance.
Working together, both departments were able to put the fire out before midnight, but the damage was extensive— so extensive that L&E received about $700,000 from their insurance claim, issued by the National Trust Insurance Company, based in Florida.
According to the lawsuit, L&E is owned, operated, and solely run by Tommy Goforth, who is accused of either starting the fire himself or "directing someone" else to start it.
National Trust has demanded a trial by jury. If L&E loses, it will likely have to repay the entire $700,000 to National Trust, as well as court fees.
Pictures of the Fire:
Springdale fire on April 8, 2023
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