Fourty-Eight Individuals Charged in N.J. Accident Fraud Ring

New Jersey Acting Attorney General Peter Harvey announced that the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor has obtained criminal indictments against 48 persons on charges that they planned or participated in staging fake automobile accidents in order to collect more than $500,000 in bogus insurance claims.

According to Harvey and Vaughn McKoy, First Deputy Director, Division of Criminal Justice, the State Grand Jury returned 10 separate indictments charging 48 persons with conspiracy, theft by deception and attempted theft by deception. The indictments were returned on Jan. 13 and sealed pending the arrest of at least one of the defendants and the completion of investigative activities.

McKoy noted the indictments allege that the 48 defendants planned and/or participated in at least 10 “staged” automobile accidents over a two and one-half year period from Dec. 9, 1996 through May 27, 1998 in the Camden County area – most frequently in Camden and Pennsauken. As a result of the “staged” accident scheme, the Allstate Insurance Company received personal injury protection (PIP) claims totaling $567,940.

The investigation by the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that the defendants would allegedly “stage” fake automobile accidents by purposely crashing cars into one another or into fixed objects. The motor vehicle accidents would be reported to area police departments, principally the Camden and Pennsauken police departments, after which the “victims” would seek and obtain treatment for purported injures sustained as a result of the “staged” accidents. Ultimately, fraudulent PIP claims were filed with both the Allstate Insurance Company and the Keystone Insurance Company for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses and “pain and suffering”costs. At least one “staged” accident involved undercover law enforcement officers posing as participants of the illegal scheme.

The principal indictment identifies Iris Salkauski, 46, Hamilton Ave., Trenton, Mercer County, as the alleged leader of the conspiracy and the coordinator of each of the 10 “staged” accidents.

It is alleged that Salkauski orchestrated the “staged” accidents; recruited the participants or “victims” for each of the “staged” accidents; paid the “victims” for their participation in the “staged” accidents; and directed the “injured victims” on how and where to obtain medical care and legal services. Salkauski is charged with conspiracy (2nd degree) and attempted theft by deception (2nd degree). Salkauski remains a fugitive. Persons with information on her whereabouts are encouraged to contact the Division of Criminal Justice Fugitive Hotline at 1-866-TIPS4CJ. All information is confidential.

The State Grand Jury indictments charge the remaining 47 defendants with conspiracy (3rd degree) and theft by deception or attempted theft by deception (3rd degree). The second indictment charges Claudia Cintron, Michael Caban, Cecilia Rivera, Wilfredo Rodriguez, Luz Caquias and Jose Caquias with one count of conspiracy to commit theft by deception. Claudia Cintron, Michael Caban, Cecilia Rivera and Wilfredo Rodriguez are also charged with one count of attempted theft by deception.

The third indictment charges Suheil Andujar, Felix Ruiz, Jacqueline Lamboy, DiMarie Ramirez and Melvin Rivera with one count of conspiracy to commit theft by deception. Felix Ruiz, Jacqueline Lamboy and DiMarie Ramirez are also charged with one count of attempted theft by deception. Suheil Andujar is additionally charged with one count of theft by deception.

The fourth indictment charges Noemi Gonzalez, David Agosto, David Gonzalez, Jaime Alicea and David Batista with one count of conspiracy to commit theft by deception and one count of attempted theft by deception.

The fifth indictment charges Christian Maldonado, Josue Gonzalez, Marietta Lewis, Victor Garcia and Ramon Figueroa with one count of conspiracy to commit theft by deception. Josue Gonzalez, Marietta Lewis and Victor Garcia are also charged with one count of theft by deception.

The sixth indictment charges Maritza Mendez, Meylin Cajina, Rosalina Mendez, Elba Soto, Vicky Bonilla, Luis Vasquez, Nijita Rivera, Ileana Gonzalez and Marangely Lugo with one count of conspiracy to commit theft by deception. Maritza Mendez, Meylin Cajina, Luis Vasquez, Nijita Rivera, Ileana Gonzalez and Marangely Lugo are also charged with one count of attempted theft by deception. Maritza Mendez, Rosalina Mendez and Elba Soto are also charged with one count of theft by deception.

The seventh indictment charges Ruth Garcia, Doris Rodriguez, Louis Valdez, Fernando Rivera and Miguel Roman with one count of conspiracy to commit theft by deception. Ruth Garcia, Doris Rodriguez, Louis Valdez and Fernando Rivera are also charged with one count of attempted theft by deception.

The eighth indictment charges Rosa Rivera, Omar Montes, Marilyn Fontanez, Gregoria Echavarria and Ramona Rodriguez with one count of conspiracy to commit theft by deception. Rosa Rivera, Omar Montes, Marilyn Fontanez, and Gregoria Echavarria are also charged with one count of theft by deception.

The ninth indictment charges Matilda Velez, Sonia Soto, Hector Bonilla and Vicky Bonilla with one count of conspiracy to commit theft by deception and one count of theft by deception.

The 10th indictment charges Luz Beltran, Tanya Gonzalez, Luz Ruiz and Florentino Robles with one count of conspiracy to commit theft by deception. Tanya Gonzalez and Luz Ruiz are also charged with one count of third degree attempted theft by deception. Luz Beltran is also charged with one count of theft by deception.

Crimes of the second degree carry a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Crimes of the third degree carry a maximum penalty of up to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Additionally, the defendants face the possibility of the imposition of civil insurance fraud fines pursuant to the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act.