A Finksburg, Md., man was put on probation for felony insurance fraud and was ordered to pay a $20,000 fine.

Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge John G. Turnbull ordered probation before judgment for Ghassan Issa, 48, according to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. Issa must perform 30 hours of community service.

On July 27, 2006, Issa filed an insurance claim with his insurer, Harford Mutual Insurance Co., alleging that a broken water pipe caused over $74,000 in damage to a Reisterstown restaurant that he was renovating. Issa alleged that the property and restaurant equipment had been damaged.

Issa produced several invoices and estimates in support of his claim and Harford Mutual paid out on the full amount of the claim.

Further investigation revealed that the estimates and invoices were fraudulently obtained and the damaged equipment had not been in the basement at the time of the flood. Issa subsequently reimbursed Harford Mutual for a portion of the claim.

The conviction follows a joint investigation by the Insurance Fraud Division of the Maryland Insurance Administration, the Maryland State Police and the Office of the Attorney General.