OFF BEAT: Sports car bath lands driver in hot water

A YouTube video has sunk a Texas man's attempt to defraud insurers out of $2.2 million for “accidental” water damage to his Bugatti sports car.

Andy Lee House of Lufkin, Texas, told first responders he was reaching for his cellphone when he swerved and accidentally drove into a Gulf bay on Nov. 11, 2009. A day later he filed a $2.2 million claim with his insurance company.

However, a YouTube video of the incident taken from a passing vehicle got the attention of investigators because it showed the car being deliberately driven into the drink.

“That's going to be mine one day,” says the videographer from the passing car until he sees the vehicle swerve into the water, triggering an expletive response.

Rather than collecting on his claim, Mr. House, 39, pleaded guilty on Aug. 26 to a charge of wire mail fraud. He now faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.