Rachel Sacharow 609-984-1936

TRENTON - Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn L. McKoy announced that a former Essex County man has been ordered to repay more than $170,700 that he collected in disability insurance monies to which he was not entitled.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Richard S. Serbin, 61, E. 63rd Street, New York, NY, formerly of Short Hills, Essex County, was ordered by County Superior Court Judge Michael L. Ravin to pay more than $170,700 in restitution and more a $50,000 civil fine after pleading guilty to a criminal Accusation charging him with falsifying records.

At the Aug. 22 guilty plea hearing, Serbin, who was licensed as both a pharmacist and an attorney, admitted that he falsified a disability claim representing that he was not employed. The terms of Serbin’s disability policy state that “total disability means complete inability of the insured to perform the substantial duties of any gainful occupation.” An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that, at the time of the claim, Serbin was earning wages from HealthSTAR Communications, Inc., located in Cranford, Union County.

State Investigator Joseph Wirzbicki, Civil Investigator Eric Flickinger and Deputy Attorneys General Steven Cirillo and Michael Troso were assigned to the investigation. DAG Troso represented the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor at the Dec. 16 sentencing. The case was referred to the Division of Criminal Justice by Prudential Insurance Company, which was acquired by Reassure America Life Insurance Company during the course of the investigation.

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