Bergen County Man Admits $5,800 Fraud in Collection of
Employment-Related Medical Benefits

TRENTON - Division of Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw announced that a Bergen County man has pleaded guilty to Health Care Claims fraud for fraudulently obtaining more than $5,800 in employer-paid medical benefits.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Thomas J. Lagno, 42, Rivervale, Bergen County, pleaded guilty before Bergen County Superior Court Judge Harry Carroll to an accusation which charged third degree Health Care Claims fraud. When sentenced on June 2, Lagno faces up to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Lagno also faces possible civil insurance fraud fines.

At the April 6 guilty plea hearing, Lagno admitted that from Feb. 29 to Aug. 30, 2004, he submitted more than a dozen fraudulent prescription drug and medical treatment claims to the Selective Insurance Company. The claims indicated that Lagno, while employed at Access Systems Integration Company headquartered in Hazlet, Monmouth County, had sustained work-related injuries. The investigation determined that Lagno’s employment ended in September 2002, and that he was not eligible for employer-paid prescription drug coverage or medical benefits. As a result of the scam, Lagno fraudulently obtained more than $5,800 in medical services to which he was not entitled.

State Investigator Daniel Cokelet, Civil Investigator Jerry Pizzillo, and Deputy Attorney General Leo P. Cox were assigned to the investigation.

Additional information and a copy of this release are available via the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Web site at www.NJInsuranceFraud.org.