N.J. Man Charged with Workers’ Comp Fraud

Vaughn McKoy, Director, Division of Criminal Justice, announced that the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor has charged a Camden County, New Jersey man with attempted theft, Health Care Claims Fraud and falsifying records for reportedly submitting fraudulent workers compensation claims to his employer’s insurance carrier.

According to McKoy and Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Campbell P. Halleran, 26, of Camden County, was charged via a State Grand Jury indictment with one count of attempted theft by deception, Health Care Claims Fraud (both 3rd degree), and falsifying records (4th degree). If convicted on all charges, Halleran faces up to 111/2 years in state prison and a fine of up to $45,000.

Additionally, Halleran faces the possibility of the imposition of civil insurance fraud fines pursuant to the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act. Halleran will be ordered to appear in Burlington County Superior Court for arraignment and bail on a date to be set by the court.

The State Grand Jury indictment alleges that on July 18, 2002, Halleran, who was working as a laborer for Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. located in Moorestown, Burlington County, submitted a fraudulent workers’ compensation claim for $892 to his employer. Halleran allegedly claimed that he had injured his back while moving store inventory from the loading dock to the interior of the store.

An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor revealed that another employee of Dick’s, not Halleran, had moved the inventory and Halleran had not injured himself as claimed. The workers’ compensation claim had been submitted to Chubb Group of Insurance Companies which denied the claim and referred the matter to the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor for investigation.

Halleran was charged pursuant to the State’s Health Care Claims Fraud statute which became effective on Jan. 15, 1998. The law calls for the prosecution of persons who knowingly, or with criminal recklessness, submit false or fraudulent claims for payment or reimbursement of health care services.

State Investigator John Collins, Civil Investigator Michael Troso and Deputy Attorney General Steven Cirillo were assigned to the investigation. DAG Cirillo represented the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor before the State Grand Jury. The indictment was handed up to Mercer County Superior Court Judge Maria Marinari Sypek on Dec. 2.