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 Pennsylvania man with forgery for issuing a fraudulent Certificate of Insurance.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown, Nicholas Barbella, 40, Marcel Drive, Dingmans Ferry, PA, was charged with forgery (4th degree). If convicted, Barbella faces up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Barbella is scheduled to be arraignment on Dec. 16.

Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Gooden-Brown notes that the Nov. 29 Essex County Grand Jury indictment alleges that between Sept. 3, 2002 and Feb. 24, 2003, Barbella, (d/b/a Dr. Frank-n-Stein, Inc.), a roofing contractor, issued a phony Certificate of Insurance to the management of Lawton Arms Apartments, Prospect Avenue, West Orange, Essex County. A Certificate of Insurance is commonly used by contractors when bidding construction jobs and performing construction work to prove that they have the requisite insurance coverage to engage in the construction work. An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that the Certificate of Insurance was purportedly issued by the Cumberland Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Bridgeton, Cumberland County.

State Investigator Earl Washington, and Deputy Attorney General Nicole D. Rizzolo were assigned to the investigation. DAG Rizzolo represented the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor before the Essex County Grand Jury.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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