TRENTON
- Division of Criminal Justice Director
Vaughn L. McKoy announced that a Monmouth
County man has pleaded guilty for his
role in a workers compensation insurance
fraud scam.
According to Director McKoy and Insurance
Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown, Douglas
E. “David” Fittinger, 59,
East Main Street, Manasquan, Monmouth
County, pleaded guilty before Monmouth
County Superior Court Judge Bette Uhrmacher
to a criminal Accusation filed by the
Division of Criminal Justice - Office
of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor. The Accusation
charged Fittinger with theft by deception
(3rd degree). When sentenced on June 24,
Fittinger faces up to five years in state
prison, and a criminal fine of up to $15,000.
Fittinger may also face civil insurance
fraud fines pursuant to the civil Insurance
Fraud Prevention Act.
At the guilty plea hearing, Fittinger
admitted that between Feb.1 and June 10,
2003, he wrongfully obtained workers compensation
payments from his employer, Ralph Clayton
and Sons Concrete, located in Lakewood,
Ocean County. Ralph Clayton and Sons Concrete
is self-insured for workers compensation
insurance meaning that it, rather than
an insurance company, makes workers compensation
insurance payments. It administers its
own workers compensation insurance plan.
Fittinger admitted that he claimed total
disability from his job as a truck driver
in order to steal more than $14,880 in
workers compensation insurance money when,
in fact, he was not disabled. An investigation
by the Division of Criminal Justice -
Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined
that Fittinger was dancing at a night
club, training as a firefighter, working
on a boat, and engaging in other conduct
inconsistent with his claim of total disability.
State Investigator Carlos Ortiz, Civil
Investigator Angelo Vastano, and Deputy
Attorney General Peter W. Lee were assigned
to the investigation. DAG Lee represented
the Division
of Criminal Justice - Office
of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor
at the guilty plea hearing.
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