A former television show host and City Council candidate who faces charges of arson has filed suit against the insurance company.
Richard "Rick" Igou sued Travelers Indemnity Company of Illinois, saying they had not paid off on his claim on the fire that destroyed his Skatin' Jakes rink in Hixson.
The plaintiff said in the Circuit Court complaint that damages in the fire exceeded $1.2 million. He filed a claim of $600,000 on the structure and $86,768 on the contents, but the firm has refused to pay.
He was arrested last August after a 2 1/2 month investigation by officers with the Chattanooga Fire Department’s Fire Investigation Division.
The case is due to come up in Criminal Court next month.
The April 19 fire severely damaged Skatin’ Jakes at 4300 North Access Road.
Capt. Randy Jacks said the physical evidence obtained on the scene suggested that arson was involved. “There were multiple points of origin with no logical source of ignition.”
After further investigation, the fire investigators submitted their evidence to a Hamilton County Grand Jury, which in turn issued an indictment on charges of arson and insurance fraud.
Rick Igou, who is 51, at one time had a TV show on Channel 61. He has a website, Nooga.com. He ran for the City Council in 1983 in a public works race won by Paul Clark.