According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Michael J. Scherb, 28, 2nd Ave., Woodbury, Gloucester County, plead guilty before Gloucester County Superior Court Judge John Tomasello to a criminal Accusation which charged theft by deception and falsifying records. Scherb faces up to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $25,000 when sentenced on Sept. 9. Scherb may also face civil insurance fraud fines pursuant to the civil Insurance Fraud Prevention Act.

At the Aug. 1 guilty plea hearing, Scherb admitted that between April 18, 2003 and Jan. 27, 2004, to collecting more than $11,760 in workers compensation insurance benefits to which he was not entitled. Scherb admitted that he fraudulently advised the Guard Insurance Group, which provided workers compensation insurance, that he was injured and unable to work. In fact, Scherb was employed by a tree trimming service while collecting workers compensation benefits .

The Guard Insurance Group became suspicious of the claim and referred the case to the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor for investigation. State Investigator Anthony Butler, Civil Investigator Wilbert Sowney, and Deputy Attorney General Steven Cirillo were assigned to the investigation. DAG Cirillo represented the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor at the guilty plea hearing.

“Workers compensation insurance is designed to assist hard-working people who get injured on the job,” said Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Brown. “Theft from the workers compensation program is a serious affront to the honest, hard-working people who need the program benefits.”

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