Adjuster Accused of Defrauding New Jersey Turnpike Association

Mail fraud charges have been filed against an insurance adjuster accused of cheating the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and some insurance companies out of more than $200,000.

Robert Napolitano, the 54-year-old owner of Clifton-based Dawn to Dusk, was arrested Tuesday. He’s expected to make his first court appearance later in the day and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Federal prosecutors say Napolitano instructed insurers whose motorists had damaged turnpike property to send checks made out to his firm. But instead of forwarding the money to the state agency, he allegedly kept the cash and split it with Gerardo Blasi, a former turnpike authority claims manager.

Blasi pleaded guilty in December to stealing more than $1.5 million from the authority and insurers.