TRENTON
- Division of Criminal Justice Director
Vaughn L. McKoy announced that the Division
of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance
Fraud Prosecutor has obtained a State
Grand Jury indictment charging a Passaic
County woman with falsifying an automobile
insurance application in order to obtain
coverage at a lower cost.
According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor
Greta Gooden Brown, Ana Carmona, 56, of
River Drive, Passaic, was charged with
insurance fraud (2nd degree) and attempted
theft by deception (3rd degree). If convicted
on both counts, Carmona faces up to 15
years in state prison and a criminal fine
of up to $165,000. Carmona also faces
civil insurance fraud fines.
The indictment alleges that on or about
Dec. 4, 2003, Carmona went to an insurance
agency and submitted an application for
an automobile insurance policy. During
the application process, Carmona was asked
whether there were any other licensed
drivers in the household and, if so, were
any of their licenses suspended. Carmona
allegedly answered that there were no
other licensed drivers at her home. It
is charged that Carmona falsely stated
to the insurance agent that her children,
who had drivers’ licenses, did not
live with her. An investigation by the
Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined
that, at the time she submitted the application,
Carmona had three children possessing
drivers’ licenses at her home, two
of whom allegedly had their licenses suspended.
The application was submitted to the Clarendon
National Insurance Company. It is charged
that as a result of Carmona’s alleged
misrepresentations, she paid at least
$4,400 per year less than the value of
the policy claiming all drivers.
State Investigators Luis Cruz and Toni
Petreski, Civil Investigator Raymond Britton
and Deputy Attorney General Robert J.
Brass were assigned to the investigation.
DAG Brass represented the Office of Insurance
Fraud Prosecutor before the State Grand
Jury.
The Jan. 4 indictment, which was handed
up to Mercer County Superior Court Judge
Maria M. Sypek, is merely an accusation.
The defendant is presumed innocent unless
and/or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable
doubt.
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