Wednesday, June 29, 2016 02:35PM
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A total of 43 people across Pennsylvania, including more than a dozen from the Philadelphia area, were charged following an insurance fraud investigation.
The charges were part of a sweep conducted by the Insurance Fraud Section, the Pa. Attorney General's Office announced on Wednesday.
The total potential fraud involved in the cases exceeds $275,000, investigators said.
"Insurance fraud is a crime that truly affects everyone," Attorney General Kathleen Kane said in a statement. "The losses each year are substantial, and lead to higher insurance rates and more costly goods and services."
The following is a list of those who are charged, and the accusations against them, as provided by the AG's office:
Eastern Region
Jennifer Towey , 45, W. Woodbank Way, West Chester, Chester County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, unlawful use of computer, criminal use of a communication facility and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. According to investigators, Towey in October obtained an automobile insurance policy through Geico. Three days after obtaining the policy, she allegedly made a claim in which she reported that she had backed into another car. It is alleged that Towey submitted information in support of her claim that proved the accident actually occurred before the insurance policy was obtained, according to investigators. Towey's bail was set at $10,000 unsecured.
Thomas Preston III , 30, Matson Road, Garnet Valley, Delaware County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, criminal attempt to commit theft by deception and criminal use of a communication facility. Preston in September 2015 allegedly submitted a claim to Progressive Insurance Company alleging his vehicle sustained damages after he hit a guard rail. Further investigation revealed that Preston earlier submitted a claim related to the same damage to Nationwide Insurance. It is alleged that Preston attempted to receive payment for the same damage by submitting similar claims to both insurance companies. Bail was set at $7,500 unsecured.
Edward Richard , 29, Provident Road, Philadelphia, is charged with two counts of insurance fraud and one count each of criminal use of a communication facility and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. Richard was involved in an automobile accident in May 2013. On the same day, he obtained a policy from Safe Auto Insurance. A few days later, the driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident called Safe Auto Insurance to make a claim because Richard represented at the accident scene that he had a policy with the company. After Safe Auto Insurance contacted Richard regarding the claim, he allegedly made false statements to the insurance company. Richard's bail was set at $25,000 unsecured.
Alexander Belfi , 27, Bryn Mawr Ave., Lansdowne, Delaware County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, criminal use of a communication facility and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. Investigators reported that Belfi was involved in a motorcycle accident in November. At the time of the accident, he did not have collision coverage through his insurance policy with Progressive Insurance, but investigators said he made a call after the accident in which he added this coverage. Several weeks later, Belfi made another call to Progressive in which he allegedly claimed the motorcycle had been damaged the day after he obtained the collision coverage. Investigators said they confirmed this was a false claim after learning that Belfi's motorcycle was at a storage facility during the time he alleged the accident took place. Bail was set at $25,000 unsecured.
Constantine Keith Day , 59, Ardmore Ave., Glenside, Montgomery County, is charged with two counts each of forgery and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception, as well as one count each of criminal use of a communication facility and tampering with records or identification. Day, a contractor, was hired by a construction company to install artificial turf on a soccer field. As part of the arrangement, the construction company asked Day to submit documentation showing he had a valid liability insurance policy. It is alleged that Day did not have a valid policy at the time, but altered an old certificate of liability and sent that fraudulent documentation to the company. The alleged fraud caused the construction company to pay $48,000 for uninsured contractor insurance, investigators alleged in a criminal complaint. Day's bail was set at $10,000 unsecured.
Diya-Al-Din Kelley , 26, Aspen St., Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, criminal attempt to commit theft by deception and criminal use of a communication facility. Kelley in February was involved in an accident in which his vehicle was hit by another vehicle. At the time, Kelley's vehicle was not insured due to his policy lapsing. It is alleged that Kelley called Geico, his insurer, after the accident occurred to reinstate the policy. He later filed a claim with the insurance company in which he stated the accident occurred after he called to reinstate the policy, investigators allege. Kelley was released on his own recognizance.
Amanda Schultz , 37, Country Lane, Morton, Delaware County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, criminal use of a communication facility and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. According to investigators, Schultz was driving an uninsured vehicle in August 2015 when she was involved in an accident. Later that day, she obtained an automobile insurance policy through Esurance Insurance Company. On the same day, she submitted a claim online in which she allegedly stated the accident occurred after she obtained the policy. Investigators said they determined that to be a false statement. Schultz's bail was set at $15,000 unsecured.
Sharon Nesmith , 47, West Fisher Ave., Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. Nesmith filed a civil lawsuit against Wal-Mart in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. In the lawsuit, she alleged that she suffered serious physical injuries in a fall that occurred in June 2012 at the Wal-Mart located at 4600 Roosevelt Boulevard. According to investigators, they reviewed video footage of the alleged incident, which showed Nesmith did not slip or fall, but sat down and then laid down on a mat. The video evidence directly contradicts Nesmith's claims, investigators allege. Nesmith was released on her own recognizance.
Eric Pugh , 55, Bradford St., Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, forgery, theft by deception and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. According to a criminal complaint, Pugh held an accidental injury insurance policy with AFLAC. Pugh later submitted multiple claims related to an alleged back injury. According to investigators, documentation that Pugh submitted to the insurance company in support of these claims included the name and signature of a Philadelphia doctor who was in fact deceased. Further investigation determined the doctor died before any of the treatment Pugh alleged he received, investigators stated. Pugh was released on his own recognizance.
Gary Hutt Jr. , 29, N. Franklin St., Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal use of a communication facility. According to investigators, Hutt was involved in an accident in August 2014. At the time the accident occurred, the vehicle Hutt was driving was not covered under an existing policy with Geico. It is alleged that Hutt falsely claimed he obtained the insurance coverage for the vehicle prior to it being involved in the accident. Bail was set at $10,000 unsecured.
Haleem Lyles , 26, Buist St., Philadelphia, and Jasmine Scott , 26, 7841 Buist St., Philadelphia, are both charged with two counts each of insurance fraud and one count each of criminal use of a communication facility, criminal conspiracy and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. According to investigators, Lyles in May 2014 was driving alone in Scott's uninsured van when the van was struck by another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle involved had an insurance policy through Allstate. It is alleged that Lyles and Scott both made false statements to Allstate in which they alleged Scott was inside the van at the time of the accident, and that they both had suffered injuries. Scott also submitted multiple medical bills to the insurance company in an effort to receive money to which she was not entitled, investigators stated in a criminal complaint. Bail was set for each defendant at $50,000 unsecured.
Avien Torres , 22, Penn St., Philadelphia, is charged with two counts of insurance fraud and one count each of criminal attempt to commit theft by deception and criminal use of a communication facility. According to investigators, Torres in May 2015 called Progressive Insurance to reinstate his automobile insurance policy, which had lapsed. The insurance company later obtained additional information that confirmed Torres was involved in an accident before he reinstated the policy, but Torres claimed it occurred after the reinstatement. Information submitted in support of that claim confirmed the accident occurred before Torres reinstated his policy, investigators alleged in a criminal complaint. Bail was set at $10,000 unsecured.
Tahira Duncan , 40, W. Godfrey Ave., Apt. L 401, Philadelphia, is charged with two counts each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception in addition to one count of criminal use of a communication facility. It is alleged that Duncan was riding as a passenger in her vehicle when her daughter, the driver, got into an accident. At the time of the accident, Duncan's insurance policy with Progressive had lapsed, so she called to reinstate it, investigators reported. Duncan called the insurance company again later that day to report the accident, saying it had occurred after she reinstated the policy. Investigators said they confirmed that claim to be false. Duncan was released on her own recognizance.
Benjimen Hoffman , 29, Brentwood Road, Philadelphia, is charged with one count of insurance fraud. According to investigators, Hoffman was involved in an accident in December after his insurance policy with Safe Auto Insurance had lapsed. Hoffman called the company after the accident to make a payment on the policy. During that call, he allegedly provided false information when asked whether his vehicle had existing damage or had recently been involved in an accident. Bail was set at $50,000 unsecured.
Lewis Smith , 86, Putnam Blvd., Wallingford, Delaware County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, criminal attempt to commit theft by deception and criminal use of a communication facility. Investigators said they determined that Smith provided false information to Allstate Insurance Company, his automobile insurer, regarding a "hit and run" incident in which his vehicle was damaged. Further investigation determined that Smith's vehicle was actually damaged when he crashed down an embankment. Smith is accused of submitting a false claim seeking payment for the damages, investigators alleged in a criminal complaint. Bail was set at $10,000 unsecured.
Central Region
Johnny Dukes II , 33, Mulberry St., Harrisburg, Dauphin County, and Jennifer Dukes , 39, 2502 Walnut St., Apt. 9, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, are both charged with three counts each of insurance fraud and one count each of criminal attempt to commit theft by deception and criminal conspiracy. According to investigators, Johnny Dukes II in January 2015 obtained a new automobile insurance policy with Progressive Insurance after his prior policy lapsed due to non-payment. The day after obtaining the new policy, Dukes reported that he was involved in an accident with his sister, Jennifer Dukes, and another relative. Jennifer Dukes made a statement and submitted information to the insurance company corroborating the story. However, the information submitted to the insurance company showed that the accident happened before Johnny Dukes called to obtain the new policy. As a result, investigators said they determined the claim was fraudulent. Bail was set at $5,000 unsecured for each defendant.
Elmira Sexton , 38, North Pine St., York, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to committ theft by deception. According to investigators, Sexton's auto insurance policy with Safe Auto Insurance lapsed in September 2012 due to non-payment. She allegedly made a phone call to obtain a new policy. Less than 90 minutes later, she called Safe Auto Insurance to file a claim, alleging she was involved in an accident in which she hit a deer. It was determined that Sexton misrepresented the time of the accident to Safe Auto Insurance. Her bail was set at $20,000 unsecured.
Norman Abess , 64, West Shore Drive, New Milford, Susquehanna County, is charged with two counts each of insurance fraud, criminal attempt to commit theft by deception and forgery. It is alleged that Abess submitted a total of seven fraudulent invoices to Travelers Insurance requesting payment for property damages that occurred at his home during two separate incidents. He allegedly claimed his septic system and his heating and air conditioning zone valve were damaged during a power outage caused in 2011 by Hurricane Irene. The other damage claimed in 2011 was allegedly caused by a leaking pipe. An investigation allegedly revealed that one of the fraudulent documents received by the insurer in support of Abess' claim contained misspelling of the purported repair contractor's last name. Abess was released on his own recognizance.
Matthew McGinnis , 44, Scheller Road, New Providence, Lancaster County, is charged with two counts of insurance fraud and one count of criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. McGinnis in April 2014 reportedly obtained an automobile insurance policy with Safe Auto Insurance. The day after obtaining the policy, he filed a claim in which he alleged his car was damaged when one of his family members drove it through a flooded highway. An investigation revealed the incident actually occurred prior to McGinnis obtaining the insurance policy, according to investigators. Bail was set at $25,000 unsecured.
Danielle Bowermaster , 23, South Earl St., Apt. 1, Shippensburg, Cumberland County, is charged with two counts of insurance fraud. Bowermaster was involved in a two-vehicle accident in July 2014 in which her car was struck by another vehicle in a parking lot. It is alleged that Bowermaster, when providing a recorded statement to Motorists Insurance Company, her insurer, misrepresented who was in her car during the accident and the extent of the damage that the reportedly minor collision caused. She is also accused of making false statements regarding injuries that she suffered in an attempt to receive money she was not entitled to, investigators alleged in a criminal complaint. Bail was set at $1,000 unsecured.
Marshal Garger , 31, Jacksonville Road, Bath, Northampton County, is charged with two counts of workers' compensation fraud. According to investigators, Garger, who worked for a hauling service, filed a false claim for workers' compensation after claiming that he injured his knee while working during the summer of 2013. It was later discovered that Garger provided false information to Selective Insurance Company of America when he allegedly said he had never injured the knee before. However, investigators said documentation was found to show he had filed an earlier workers' compensation claim regarding an injury to the same knee. It was also discovered that Garger continued to play softball on multiple occasions after allegedly telling Selective Insurance Company of America that he was unable to play because of his injury. A warrant has been issued for Garger's arrest.
Western Region
Heather Bordack , 40, Mountaindale Road, Blandburg, Cambria County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. A relative of Bordack's in March 2015 was involved in an automobile accident in a parking lot. The relative was an excluded driver on Bordack's Nationwide Insurance policy. Bordack is accused of submitting a claim to Nationwide in which she reported that she was the driver of the vehicle at the time the accident occurred. Bordack's bail was set at $5,000 unsecured.
Janet Winters , 61, Ross Mountain Park Road, Ligonier, Westmoreland County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. Winters was reportedly involved in a minor automobile accident in October 2015. At the time of the accident, she did not have comprehensive and collision coverage on her vehicle. Four days after the accident occurred, investigators allege Winters called her carrier, Progressive Insurance, to obtain comprehensive and collision coverage. Weeks later, she filed a claim in which she allegedly reported the accident occurred after she made the changes to her policy. Winters was released on her own recognizance.
Torri Durham , 47, Wykes St., Aliquippa, Beaver County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, criminal attempt to commit theft by deception and criminal conspiracy. According to investigators, Durham in June 2012 filed an insurance claim with MetLife in which she alleged that a fire at a nearby residence had caused smoke and other fire-related damage to her home. Durham was entitled to reimbursement for certain expenses while she was staying out of her home. However, investigators allege she submitted fraudulent documentation for food expenses and the boarding of her dogs. Durham's bail was set at $10,000 unsecured.
Mark Demblowski , 51, Chartiers Terrace, Carnegie, Allegheny County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. Demblowski allegedly filed a claim with his automobile insurance provider, Allstate Insurance, claiming approximately $7,000 worth of items had been stolen from his vehicle while it was parked in Pittsburgh. The items allegedly included a laptop computer, a tablet, video games and a 60-inch television. Further investigation revealed the laptop and tablet were in fact returned to a retail store approximately three months before Demblowski filed his insurance claim. Demblowski also admitted the video games and television were not stolen, according to investigators. Demblowski's bail was set at $25,000 unsecured.
Matthieu Masson , 25, California Terrace, California, Washington County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. An investigation revealed that Masson in September 2015 added comprehensive coverage to his automobile insurance policy. Two days later, he filed a claim with his provider, Safe Auto Insurance, alleging his vehicle had been vandalized. It was determined the incident and damage occurred prior to Masson obtaining additional coverage for his vehicle, investigators alleged in a criminal complaint. Bail was set at $2,500 unsecured.
Sharon Washington , 38, Denise St., Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. Washington's automobile insurance policy with Safe Auto was cancelled in August 2015 due to non-payment. Washington called after the policy lapsed to obtain a new policy. Washington later submitted a claim for an accident in which one of her relatives backed into another person's vehicle. Investigators said they determined the accident occurred before Washington called to obtain new coverage for her vehicle. Bail was set at $3,000 unsecured.
Jeffrey Kemp , 26, Cook St., Johnstown, Cambria County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. Kemp in January reportedly obtained an automobile insurance policy from Esurance that provided comprehensive coverage. Roughly two weeks after obtaining the policy, Kemp filed a claim, stating he struck a fire hydrant and caused damage to his vehicle. Further investigation revealed the accident actually occurred two days before Kemp obtained the insurance policy. His bail was set at $5,000 unsecured.
Shawn Bissett , 41, and Tanya Bissett , 39, both of 2nd St., Mather, Greene County, are charged with two counts each of insurance fraud and one count each of criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. According to investigators, Tanya Bissett filed a claim last August with Progressive Advanced Insurance, her automobile insurance provider. She claimed a rock had flown off another vehicle and damaged the vehicle belonging to Shawn Bissett, her husband. Shawn Bissett allegedly provided a recorded statement to the insurance company corroborating his wife's claim. It was determined through further investigation that the incident actually occurred during a timeframe when the Bissett's vehicle was not insured. Tanya Bissett reinstated the policy on the vehicle three days before she made the fraudulent claim, according to investigators. Bail was set for each defendant at $20,000.
Johann Davis , 37, Orchard St., McKees Rocks, Allegheny County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and theft by deception. According to investigators, Davis in January 2015 filed a claim with his automobile insurance company, Donegal Insurance Group/Atlantic States Insurance Company. He stated in the claim that he was driving his vehicle when his vehicle collided with a UPS truck on Interstate 376 near Pittsburgh. It was later discovered that an employee of Davis who did not have a driver's license was actually operating the vehicle at the time of the accident. The alleged fraud resulted in Davis' insurer paying approximately $4,800 to cover the damages, according to investigators. Davis' was released on his own recognizance.
Greg Miller , 43, Shadywood Drive, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. It is alleged that Miller added full coverage to his Progressive Insurance policy during April 2015. He later filed a claim in which he allegedly stated that his vehicle was damaged when he struck a rock. Further investigation revealed this incident actually occurred the day before Miller called to obtain full coverage through his insurer, investigators stated in a criminal complaint. Miller was released on his own recognizance.
Jeffrey Thomas , 55, Sugar Maple Drive, Windber, Somerset County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, criminal attempt to commit theft by deception and tampering with records or identification. Investigators stated in a criminal complaint that Thomas created a fraudulent bill related to towing and storage of his vehicle, which was involved in an accident in April 2014. The bill was reportedly submitted to Liberty Mutual Insurance, Thomas' insurer, as part of a claim he submitted. Further investigation determined the company that towed the vehicle did not issue the bill and never stored Thomas' vehicle, investigators stated. Thomas was released on his own recognizance.
Erik Hanlin , 33, Lysein Road, Powhatan Point, Ohio, is charged with two counts of insurance fraud and one count of criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. Hanlin in April 2015 reportedly obtained full insurance coverage for his automobile through Safe Auto Insurance. After the policy went into effect, Hanlin allegedly filed a claim stating his vehicle was damaged in a collision with a cement barrier on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Fulton County. Investigators said it was determined the insurance claim was fraudulent because the accident occurred before Hanlin had called to obtain full insurance coverage. Hanlin's bail was set at $25,000 unsecured.
Toni Adams , 27, Beaver St., Leetsdale, Allegheny County, is charged with two counts of insurance fraud and one count each of criminal attempt to commit theft by deception and solicitation to commit insurance fraud. According to a criminal complaint filed by investigators, Adams was involved in a two-vehicle accident in May 2015 during a time when her automobile insurance policy had lapsed. Roughly 90 minutes after the accident, she called Safe Auto Insurance to reinstate her insurance policy. After reinstating the policy, Adams allegedly provided that information to the other driver involved in the accident and instructed him to state the accident had occurred later than it actually did so that it would be covered by her reinstated policy. Adams' bail was set at $10,000 unsecured.
Sandra Butler , 56, Captain Williams Road, Cochranton, Crawford County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. Butler reportedly attempted to file a claim with her automobile insurance provider, Allstate, following a single-vehicle accident that she was involved in during December. After Butler was informed that her policy had been canceled due to non-payment, she made a payment to reinstate the policy. Butler allegedly filed another claim roughly two weeks later in which she alleged the same facts of the initial claim. Investigators said they determined the claim was fraudulent. Butler was released on her own recognizance.
Erin Weckerly , 36, Rocky Grove Ave., Franklin, Venango County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. Weckerly in December allegedly called Safe Auto Insurance to obtain automobile coverage for her vehicle. On the same day, she filed a claim related to a two-vehicle accident. Investigators allege the accident occurred before Weckerly made the call to obtain the insurance policy. Her bail was set at $5,000 unsecured.
Ronnie Davis , 45, Kiehl St., Aliquippa, Beaver County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, criminal attempt to commit theft by deception and tampering with records or identification. Davis allegedly submitted a claim to State Farm Insurance in which he stated his couch had been damaged from water leaking from a ceiling. It is alleged that he claimed he paid $4,000 for the couch and that he paid more than $300 to have it cleaned. An investigation revealed the couch was never cleaned and that Davis had paid only $450 for it, according to investigators. Davis' bail was set at $10,000 unsecured.
Lakeisha Ford , 39, Beltzhoover Ave., Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Theodore Webb , 69, 1112 W. North St., Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, are both charged with one count each of insurance fraud, criminal attempt to commit theft by deception and criminal conspiracy. Ford in April 2015 was one driver involved in a two-vehicle accident. She was an excluded driver on the Agency Insurance policy for the vehicle. Ford and Webb are both accused of giving false statements to the insurance company in which they said Webb was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident. Ford and Webb were both released on their own recognizance.
Cameron Golding , 26, Butternut Lane, Kylertown, Clearfield County, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. Golding is accused of filing a claim with Progressive Insurance, his automobile insurance carrier, related to medical expenses that were incurred due to a back injury suffered in an automobile accident. It was determined that the accident actually occurred before Golding obtained coverage from Progressive, investigators alleged in a criminal complaint. Golding's bail was set at $10,000 unsecured.