Sheena Clarke, 59, a licensed public adjuster from Englewood, was charged with second-degree insurance fraud, four counts of third-degree theft by failure to make required disposition, and two counts of third-degree forgery.

The Essex County grand jury indictment alleges that between July 31, 2005 and Aug. 13, 2010, Clarke submitted fraudulent property damage claims to four insurance companies claiming that damage was sustained and repairs were completed at properties located in Paterson, Newark, Irvington, and East Orange when, in fact, the repairs were not completed. The insurance companies to which the claims were submitted were the Philadelphia Contributorship Insurance Company, the Germantown Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and Western World Insurance Company.

The indictment alleges that Clarke forged the endorsement of two insurance reimbursement checks totaling $8,591 made payable to homeowners for repairs to their homes and failed to complete the work that was to be done. One check was in the amount of $4,883, and the other was in the amount of $3,708. The indictment also alleges that Clarke was paid $28,000 by Western World Insurance Company to repair or refurbish the Lovets Holiness Church in Newark, but she failed to complete the work.

Detective Nicole Eiker and Deputy Attorney General Dennis Kwasnik were assigned to the investigation. Kwasnik presented the case to the Essex County grand jury.

The indictment, which was handed up on Friday, Feb. 10, is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of $150,000, while third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and a criminal fine of $15,000.

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