Paul “The Gooseman” Messerschmidt has been arrested for insurance fraud, according to a statement released by John Ticer of the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Messerschmidt was charged with fraudulent submissions, a class D felony.
He got his nickname from the flock of geese he raises. Purportedly, he recovered from a lung disease years ago by walking with his geese. Since then, he has been showcasing his geese in county fairs.
Messerschmidt was arrested November 9 and has since been released on bail.
The arrest was in relation to false information that Messerschmidt gave his insurance company about a fire that ravaged his Harrison County home in July.
Investigators say they do not suspect foul play in the fire itself, but the case is still under investigation.
