Hartford Fire Ins. Co. v. Carter

PICKETT, Circuit Judge.

The plaintiffs brought this action to recover the proceeds of a fire insurance policy which had been issued to cover property claimed to be owned by them. The defendant insurance company admitted the issuance of the policy and the destruction of the property by fire. As a defense it alleged that in the execution of the proofs of loss the plaintiffs were guilty of fraud and false swearing as to their title and interest in the insured property which would prevent recovery on the policy. The basis of this defense was that the plaintiffs were not the real owners of the…