On November 21, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia Michael J. Moore announced the convictions of three people involved in an insurance fraud scheme in federal court in Albany, Georgia; the trial lasted for three and a half weeks.
Elbert “Shula” Walker, Jr. was convicted of conspiracy to commit arson and mail, wire, bank and bankruptcy fraud and false declarations to a court, as well as a number of firearm offenses. Darryl Burk was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Shirley Burk was convicted of conspiracy to commit arson, mail fraud and false declarations to a court. All three are natives of Cairo, Georgia.
Walker was previously convicted of Welfare Fraud Conspiracy in New Jersey.
In 2007 and 2011, agents with search warrants located numerous firearms in Walker’s residence in Cairo, Georgia, with several of the guns’ serial numbers filed off.
During the trial, the evidence presented showed that between the years 1996 and 2006, Elbert Walker, Jr. was both owner and operator of the following establishments: Southside Grocery in Camilla, Georgia; Northside Home Remodeling in Cairo and Moultrie, Georgia; J and J Hauling, Roofing and Construction in Cairo, Georgia; North Broad Mini Market in Thomasville, Georgia; Rainbow Club located in Pelham, Georgia; Chickasaw Club in Cairo, Georgia; and Zock Rock Publishing and Promotions, Inc. located in Cairo, Georgia.
The evidence also described Walker’s co-defendants Darryl and Shirley, who were residents of Grady County, Georgia at that time. Both are relatives of Walker.
According to official statements, the three conspired to cause damage to residential dwellings in the Grady, Mitchell, Thomas and Colquitt County areas by deliberately setting fire to them. Afterward, they swindled insurance providers by making false claims to the proceeds of the insurance policies. The three also defrauded lenders to obtain financing for home loans, using counterfeit and forged checks associated with the proceeds of the conned insurance policies.
Several properties across Georgia were involved in the conspiracy.
