TRENTON - Attorney General Anne Milgram and Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw, announced that a Camden County man was indicted on charges that he attempted to steal more than $68,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits.
According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Vito Manzella, 23, whose last known address is in Lindenwold, was charged with insurance fraud and attempted theft, both third degree, as well as fourth-degree false swearing and fourth-degree falsifying records.
The Gloucester County grand jury indictment alleges that between March 28 and May 2, 2005, Manzella fraudulently submitted claims for $68,819 in PIP benefits to New Jersey Indemnity Insurance Company. Following an automobile accident in Berlin Borough, Manzella allegedly falsified an affidavit stating that he lived in Mullica Hill with a family member who had automobile insurance. Manzella allegedly did not live in Mullica Hill, but rather in Camden County at time of the accident, with a family member who did not have automobile insurance. PIP benefits provide coverage for medical bills, lost wages, and essential services for persons who are injured in automobile accidents. These benefits are provided to persons who have the appropriate automobile insurance or who reside in a house in which the residents are licensed drivers and have the appropriate automobile insurance.
State Investigator Christine Fiscella, Civil Investigator William McGough, and Deputy Attorneys General Christine Hoffman and Ronald A. Epstein were assigned to the investigation. Epstein presented the case to the Gloucester County grand jury. This case was referred to OIFP by the Special Investigative Unit of the New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Group, which initially uncovered the fraud and assisted OIFP in the investigation. Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Brown thanked the New Jersey Indemnity Insurance Company of the New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Group for their assistance in this matter.
The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Third-degree crimes carry a maximum punishment of five years in state prison and a criminal fine of $15,000, while fourth-degree crimes carry a maximum punishment of 18 months in state prison and a criminal fine of $10,000. Manzella also may face civil insurance fraud fines
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