Body-shop owner told workers to intentionally damage cars

The owner of 1st Class Collision in Phoenix was found guilty of forgery and insurance fraud after instructing employees to intentionally damage vehicles in his shop to collect more-lucrative insurance payments, the Arizona Department of Insurance said Thursday. Michael Griesa was sentenced to one year of probation, fined $813 and ordered to pay $1,910 in restitution after pleading guilty to insurance fraud and forgery earlier this month in Maricopa County Superior Court. Former employees complained that Griesa instructed them to damage vehicles already in the shop for repairs so he could file more-lucrative claims with insurers, the Department of Insurance said.