A Pennsylvania woman who sold part of her barn for use in a barn-rebuilding TV reality show now faces charges after investigators said she filed a fraudulent wind claim on the structure.
Tracey Jeffreys, 63, of the Milton area, had contracted with the Discovery Channel for use in the “Barnwood Builders” show. The plan was to dismantle the barn and rebuild it for the show. But after a Barnwood representative determined in 2022 that part of the wood was infested with powder post beetles, the show decided to use only some sections of the barn for parts, according to Pennsylvania news reports.
The show paid Jeffreys $20,000 for the lumber.
That was when Jeffreys filed a $100,000 claim with Donegal Mutual Insurance, claiming that wind knocked down part of the barn. An adjuster was unable to determine the cause, however, The News-Item reported.
Investigators checked National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration records and found that windspeeds on the day of the claimed damage were only about 7 mph on average. They also heard from the TV show about the dismantling, and from neighbors who witnessed the demolition work, news sites noted.
Jeffreys later tried to withdraw her insurance claim. She told authorities that she had forgotten to tell the demo crew not to take the wind-damaged section, the news sites reported.
Jeffreys was released on bail after she was charged by the state Attorney General’s office.
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