Rachel Sacharow 609-984-1936

TRENTON - Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn L. McKoy announced that the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor has obtained an indictment charging a Middlesex County woman with insurance fraud for her role in an automobile insurance “give up” scheme.

According to Director McKoy and Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown, Randi Fleischman, 47, Jennetty Court, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, was charged with insurance fraud (2nd degree), attempted theft by deception, tampering with public records or information (both 3rd degree), and false swearing (4th degree). If convicted of all charges, Fleischman faces up to 211/2 years in state prison and a fine of up to $190,000. In addition, Fleischman faces the possibility of the imposition of civil insurance fraud fines pursuant to the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act. Fleischman will be ordered to appear in Middlesex County Superior Court for an arraignment and bail hearing on a date yet to be determined.

The Middlesex County Grand Jury indictment alleges that between Nov. 1, 2003 and Feb. 19, 2004, Fleischman advised Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and the Edison Police Department, Edison, Middlesex County, that her 2000 Chrysler Sebring had been stolen while she was shopping at the Menlo Mall on Dec. 5, 2003. It is charged that she subsequently submitted a phony auto insurance theft claim worth more than $12,900 to Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that Fleischman’s Sebring had previously been discovered burning by the Bureau of Fire Investigations of the New York City Fire Department in Brooklyn on November 27, 2003.

State Investigator Lisa Egan, Civil Investigator Jane Mongiardini and Deputy Attorney General Valerie A. Noto were assigned to the investigation into this case. DAG Noto represented the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor before the Middlesex County Grand Jury. The investigation was referred to the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor by Liberty Mutual after Fleischman’s claim was denied.

The indictment, which was handed up on March 29, is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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