TRENTON - Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn L. McKoy announced that the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor has obtained an indictment charging a Mercer County man with insurance fraud and attempted theft by deception for submitting a fraudulent claim to his insurance company.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown, Jason Senf, 22, Main Street, Groveville, Mercer County, was charged with insurance fraud (2nd degree) and attempted theft by deception (3rd degree). If convicted of both charges, Senf faces up to 15 years in state prison and a fine of up to $165,000. Additionally, Senf faces possible civil insurance fraud fines pursuant to the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act. The defendant will be ordered to appear in Court to answer the charges on a date to be determined.

The Nov. 19 Mercer County Grand Jury indictment alleges that between June 22 and October 17, 2003, Senf submitted a $2,500 insurance claim to Foremost Insurance Company for damage done to his all-terrain vehicle (ATV). In filing the insurance claim, Senf reported that his ATV was damaged on June 22, 2003 when he struck a tree. An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that the ATV was actually damaged on April 18, 2003 when Senf’s friend struck a tree with the ATV. Following the accident, Senf filed an insurance claim, but was turned down due to the fact that the ATV was not covered with collision insurance by Foremost Insurance Company. According to the indictment, Senf obtained collision insurance in May, 2003. The next month, he submitted a second claim, claiming he had a second accident (on June 22), when, in fact he did not.

State Investigator Darrell Washington, Civil Investigator Gary Miller, and Deputy Attorney General Valerie A. Noto were assigned the case. DAG Noto represented the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor before the Mercer County Grand Jury. Foremost Insurance referred the matter to the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor for further investigation and prosecution.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed to be innocent of the charges unless and until the State proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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