N.J. Woman Admits Guilt in PIP Scam

Vaughn McKoy, director, Division of Criminal Justice, announced that a Gloucester County woman has pleaded guilty to insurance fraud charges after submitting a phony $2,300 Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim to her insurance company.

Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown said that Heather M. Dorst, 26, of Westville, Gloucester County, pleaded guilty before Camden County Superior Court Judge John McNeill, III to a criminal Accusation which charged third degree Insurance Fraud.

A third degree crime carries a sentence of up to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Dorst may also face civil insurance fraud fines pursuant to the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act. Dorst is scheduled to appear before Judge McNeill on Feb. 25 for sentencing.

At the Jan. 3, 2005 guilty plea hearing, Dorst reportedly admitted that on Dec. 25, 2003, David Cardonick was driving her car in Magnolia, Camden County, when it was struck in the rear by another vehicle. Cardonick, alone in the vehicle and driving with a suspended license, reportedly fled the scene of the accident.

Later that day, Dorst reported to the Magnolia Police Department that she was driving the car. Dorst subsequently submitted a fraudulent Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance claim to the Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company in which she certified that she was driving the car and that she suffered personal injuries as the result of the accident. Medical bills totaling $2,364 were submitted for payment.