Metro Police officer pleads not guilty to insurance fraud

By Chris Kudialis

Thursday, July 21, 2016 | 12:14 p.m.

A Metro Police officer facing charges of insurance fraud pleaded not guilty this morning and will go to trial in September.

Jeffrey Lynn Harper, 38, stood quietly in court, speaking only to enter his plea. District Court Judge Douglas Herndon set trial for Sept. 19.

Harper faces one count of theft, one count of burning of property with intent to defraud an insurer, one count of attempted theft, two counts of insurance fraud and one count of third-degree arson.

The Clark County Fire Department alleged Harper set fire in January to a toy hauler valued at about $45,000 and a four-wheeler valued at about $6,000.

Harper told his insurance companies the items burned in “a fire of unknown origin” and sought at least $3,500 for the damage, according to a criminal complaint filed in April by the state Attorney General’s Office.

Harper’s attorney Andrew Leavitt said today Harper had nothing to do with the fire. He said the trailer was parked along a highway near Pahrump when it caught fire with the four-wheeler inside.

“There was no motive; it’s all circumstantial, and he didn’t do it,” Leavitt said.

Metro spokeswoman Officer Laura Meltzer said Harper joined the department in September 1999. He was suspended without pay pending the outcome of the case and remains free on bond.