TRENTON - Attorney General Anne Milgram and Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw announced that a Cumberland County man has been indicted on charges that he submitted a phony automobile insurance claim.
According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, David Berry, 43, of Millville, was charged with third-degree insurance fraud and third-degree attempted theft by deception.
The Feb. 28 Atlantic County grand jury indictment alleges that between Oct. 23, and Nov. 1, 2005, Berry falsely reported to the Atlantic City Police Department that his 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 truck had been stolen. Berry subsequently submitted a phony automobile insurance theft claim to High Point Insurance Company, claiming that the vehicle had been stolen.
Berry allegedly knew that the car had been parked in a no parking zone and had been towed. After learning that the car was actually parked at the towing lot, High Point denied the claim, and referred the matter to the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor for investigation.
State Investigator George Meyers, Jr., Civil Investigator Frank Crosson, and Deputy Attorney General Candy Cure were assigned to the investigation. Cure presented the case to the Atlantic County grand jury.
This case was referred to OIFP by the Special Investigative Unit of the High Point Insurance Company which initially uncovered the fraud and assisted OIFP in the investigation. Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Brown thanked High Point for their assistance in this matter.
The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and a criminal fine of $15,000. Berry also may face civil insurance fraud fines.
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