TRENTON - Attorney General Zulima V. Farber and Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw announced that a Salem County Sheriff's Department officer has been charged with health care claims fraud and theft for his role in a health insurance fraud.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, John K. Hoover, 40, Pedricktown, Salem County, was charged with second-degree health care claims fraud, and third-degree theft by deception. Second-degree crimes carry a maximum punishment of 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of $150,000, while crimes of the third-degree carry a maximum punishment of five years in state prison and a criminal fine of $15,000. In addition, Hoover faces civil insurance fraud fines.

The Aug. 21 state grand jury indictment alleges that between Oct. 27, 2003 and Dec. 31, 2005, Hoover, who was employed by Salem County as a sheriff's officer, falsified employer-sponsored health insurance records concerning his marital and family status. An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that Hoover falsified a health insurance benefits form reflecting that he was separated but still married to his wife and that his step-daughter remained his dependent for employer sponsored health insurance. The investigation revealed that Hoover was divorced and was to pay for his ex-wife's health insurance out of pocket. The indictment charges that, as a result of this fraud, Hoover allegedly received more than $20,400 in health care claims, prescription drug benefits and insurance premiums paid by Salem County for his ex-wife and his step-daughter to which he was not entitled.

State Investigator Anthony Butler, and Deputy Attorney General Joan Burke were assigned to the investigation. DAG Burke presented the case to the State Grand Jury.

This office is committed to protecting New Jersey's citizens from unscrupulous acts by combating insurance fraud in any form it takes. It is particularly disturbing when sworn law enforcement officers violate the public's trust by choosing to participate in insurance fraud schemes, Fraud Prosecutor Brown said. The Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor vigorously investigates and prosecutes cases of this nature.

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

Prosecutor Brown noted that some important cases have begun with anonymous tips from the public. People who are concerned about insurance cheating and have any information about a fraud can report it anonymously by calling the toll free hotline at 1 877 55 FRAUD, or visit their Web site at www.NJInsuranceFraud.org. State regulations permit an award to be paid to an eligible person who provides information that leads to an arrest, prosecution and conviction for insurance fraud.

The Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor was established by the Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act of 1998. The Office is the centralized state agency that investigates and prosecutes both civil and criminal insurance fraud, as well as Medicaid fraud.