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TRENTON
- Attorney General Stuart Rabner and Criminal
Justice Director Gregory A. Paw announced
that a Morris County teacher pleaded guilty
today to stealing health insurance claims
money.
According
to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden
Brown, Beth N. Gurtov, 32, of Parsippany,
a teacher employed by the Parsippany/Troy
Hills Board of Education, pleaded guilty
before Superior Court Judge Salem Vincent
Ahto in Morris County to a criminal accusation
which charged her with third-degree theft
by deception.
At
the guilty plea hearing, Gurtov admitted
that between Nov. 28, 2003 and Dec. 23,
2004, she submitted false claims to Horizon
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey,
which provides insurance benefits to employees
of the Parsippany/Troy Hills Board of Education.
Gurtov submitted $1,754 in fraudulent claims
for reimbursement by Horizon Blue Cross
and Blue Shield for counseling services
on approximately 45 dates, when, in fact,
she received no services and did not pay
for counseling. Gurtov has since repaid
the money.
State
Investigator Laura Parisi, Civil Investigator
Craig Leshner, and Deputy Attorney General
Cheryl A. Maccaroni were assigned to the
investigation. Maccaroni represented the
Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor at
the guilty plea hearing.
Gurtov
is scheduled to appear before Judge Ahto
on June 15 to be sentenced. Third-degree
crimes carry sentences of up to five years
in state prison and a criminal fine of up
to $15,000. Gurtov also may face civil insurance
fraud fines.
Prosecutor
Brown noted that some important cases have
started with anonymous tips. People who
are concerned about insurance cheating and
have information about a fraud can report
it anonymously by calling the toll-free
hotline 1-877-55-FRAUD or visiting the Web
site 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.
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