| TRENTON
- Division of Criminal Justice Director
Gregory A. Paw announced that the Office
of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor has charged
an Essex County woman with Health Care Claims
Fraud for her role in a $44,000 health care
insurance fraud scam.
According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor
Greta Gooden Brown, Quvier Richardson, 34,
Highland Avenue, Newark, Essex County, was
charged via a State Grand Jury indictment
with second degree conspiracy, health care
claims fraud, and third degree theft by
deception. If convicted on all charges,
Richardson faces more than 20 years in state
prison and fines exceeding $300,000. In
addition, Richardson faces potential civil
insurance fraud fines.
The indictment alleges that between Dec.
11, 2000 and March 12, 2001, Richardson
fraudulently provided her health insurance
identification card to Olivette Henderson.
In January, 2001, Henderson underwent foot
surgery at St. Michael's Medical Center
in Newark. Following the surgury, Henderson
fraudulently submitted more than $44,000
in insurance claims and medical bills to
Cigna Insurance Company allegedly using
Richardson's identification card. The investigation
determined that Cigna paid more than $7,500
for the treatment.
On Nov. 15, 2005, Henderson pleaded guilty
to health care claims fraud and identity
theft. Henderson is scheduled to be sentenced
on March 31, by Essex County Superior Court
Judge Thomas R. Vena.
State investigators Thomas Ference and Jeffrey
Lorman, and Deputy Attorney General Philip
J. Mogavero were assigned to the investigation.
DAG Mogavero represented the Division of
Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud
Prosecutor before the State Grand Jury.
The indictment, returned on March 9, is
merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed
innocent of the charges unless and until
proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
#
# #
|
