New Jersey officials have obtained five separate grand jury indictments, charging seven state residents with falsely reporting that their cars were stolen when they were part of a “give up” scheme to collect insurance premiums.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and its Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor said the leader of the scheme, Jose Torres, 37, of Paterson, N.J., was already sentenced to eight years in state prison.
Among those indicted were Clara Crockett, 67, and her son, Brian Adams, 42, both of Passaic, N.J.. Both face charges of insurance fraud, theft by deception and tampering with public records or information, all in the third degree.
The indictment alleges that between Sept. 18 and Dec. 8, 2006, Crockett and Adams falsely reported to local police that their 2002 Lexus IS300 was stolen. After filing a claim through Mercury Insurance Group, they received $18,522 for the alleged theft.
Also indicted was James Sgambati, who received $31,466 from his insurer for an alleged theft. Sgambati, 31, of Parsippany, N.J., falsely reported to the Paterson Police Department that his 2006 Dodge Charger was stolen and after filing a claim with New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Co. received a payout, according to officials.
Sgambati faces charges of insurance fraud, theft by deception and tampering with public records or information, all in the third-degree, as well as a fourth-degree charge of falsifying records.
Through other indictments the following also face charges, including insurance fraud: Jorge Osorio-Jaramillo, 30; Maria E. Pagan, 51; and Robert R. Silverio, 39, and his wife, Jessica V. Silverio, 34. All are from Paterson, N.J.
Through the actions alleged in all of the indictments, Mercury Insurance Group paid out $35,451 through alleged fraudulent claims, New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Co. issued $31,466, State Farm paid out $23,830, and Allstate issued $16,740 in claims.
All of the insurers aided state officials in the investigations.
Seven from New Jersey charged in automobile ‘give up’ scheme via IFAwebnews .