TRENTON
- 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 three Passaic County residents
with conspiracy, Health Care Claims Fraud
and attempted theft for their alleged
involvement in a staged accident insurance
fraud scam.
According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor
Greta Gooden Brown, Iris Ojeda, 43, L.K.A
10th Avenue Paterson, her daughter, Sacha
Ojeda, 26, same address, and Felix Nieves,
54, L.K.A.12th Street, Paterson, were
charged with conspiracy and Health Care
Claims Fraud, (both 2nd degree), as well
as attempted theft by deception (third
degree). If convicted of all charges,
each defendant face more than 20 years
in state prison and a criminal fine of
more than $300,000. In addition, the defendants
face civil insurance fraud fines.
The indictment alleges that between February
2, 2000 and May 9, 2001, Iris Ojeda, Sacha
Ojeda, and Felix Nieves agreed to stage
an automobile accident. An investigation
by the Division of Criminal Justice -
Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined
that the defendants underwent MRI testing
and multiple visits to a chiropractor
in order to submit phony Personal Injury
Protection (PIP) and bodily injury insurance
claims worth more than $25,000 to Robert
Plan/GSA Insurance - Iris Ojeda submitted
claims for more than $10,900 for injuries
purportedly sustained; Nieves submitted
more than $10,800 in claims and Sacha
Ojeda submitted more than $5,000 for injuries
purportedly sustained. Upon receiving
the fraudulent billings, Robert Plan/GSA
referred the billing to the Office of
Insurance Fraud Prosecutor for further
investigation.
State Investigators Jose Vendas and Johnny
Ho, and Deputy Attorney General Dennis
Kwasnik were assigned to the investigation.
DAG Kwasnik represented the Office of
Insurance Fraud Prosecutor before the
State Grand Jury.
The indictment, which was handed up on
Jan. 13, is merely an accusation. The
defendants are presumed innocent unless
and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable
doubt.
