N.J. Inmate Pleads Guilty to Stealing Funds by Breaking Policy Guidelines

New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn McKoy announced that a Maryland man currently incarcerated in Camden County Jail has pleaded guilty to stealing insurance monies by breaking the guidelines of an insurance policy.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Richard Farber, 31, formerly of Hi-Nella, Camden County, and currently incarcerated in the Camden County Jail, pleaded guilty before Camden County Superior Court Judge Thomas Brown to charges contained in a criminal Accusation filed by the Division of Criminal Justice. The Accusation charged theft by deception (3rd degree). When sentenced on Jan. 13, Farber faces up to five years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $15,000. Farber also faces civil insurance fraud fines.

At the guilty plea hearing, Farber reportedly admitted that between Oct. 23 and Nov. 5, 2003, he stole more than $2,000 by breaking the requirements on an insurance policy following an Aug. 20, 2003 burglary at his house. Farber reported to Philadelphia Contributionship Insurance Company that as the result of the burglary, Farber’s 42″ plasma television, digital camera, camcorder, notebook computer and scanner had been stolen. Farber supported his claim with receipts showing purchases of those items from Circuit City appliance store. Contributionship Insurance promised Farber $2,069 in holdback money once he replaced the plasma TV.

An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that Farber purchased the TV, received the holdback, and then returned the TV to Circuit City, which was in direct violation of the policy requirements.