TRENTON
- Criminal Justice Director Vaughn L.
McKoy announced that the Division of Criminal
Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor
has obtained an indictment charging a
Cumberland County woman and her nephew
with insurance fraud for their roles in
an automobile insurance “give up”
and arson conspiracy.
According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor
Greta Gooden-Brown, Sandra I. Rodriguez,
39, South West Boulevard, Vineland, Cumberland
County, and her nephew, Jonathan Rodriguez,
26, West Grand Avenue (l/k/a), Vineland,
were charged with conspiracy and aggravated
arson (2nd degree), attempted theft by
deception, tampering with public records
or information, and arson, (3rd degree),
and falsifying records (4th degree). If
convicted of all charges, the defendants
face more than 25 years in state prison
and a criminal fine of more than $300,000.
The defendants also face possible civil
insurance fraud fines pursuant to the
Insurance Fraud Prevention Act.
The Cumberland County Grand indictment
alleges that between April 12 and July
5, 2003, Sandra Rodriguez and Jonathan
Rodriguez conspired to dispose of a 2002
Chevrolet Cavalier and submit a false
automobile insurance theft claim worth
more than $15,000 to Rutgers Casualty
Insurance Company. An investigation by
the Division of Criminal Justice - Office
of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined
that Sandra Rodriguez falsely reported
to the Vineland Police Department that
her Chevrolet Cavalier had been stolen.
Rodriquez also reported the purported
theft to Rutgers Casualty Insurance Company.
The investigation further revealed that
Jonathan Rodriguez took the Chevrolet
Cavalier from Sandra Rodriguez and set
it on fire in Buena Vista Township, Atlantic
County. The car was found by the New Jersey
State Police less than two hours after
it was initially reported stolen. According
to the indictment, the steering column
was damaged and the ignition had been
tampered with. It was evident that the
car had been doused with gasoline and
set on fire.
The investigation was referred to the
Office of Insurance Prosecutor by Rutgers
Casualty Insurance Company after the claim
was denied. State Investigator George
Meyers, Civil Investigator Joseph Lombardo,
and Deputy Attorney General Frank L. Holstein
were assigned to the investigation. DAG
Holstein represented the Division of Criminal
Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor
before the Cumberland County Grand Jury.
The Vineland Police Department assisted
in the investigation.
"Automobile
theft in New Jersey continues to be a
target of law enforcement investigation
and phony automobile insurance theft claims
resulting from automobile "give up"
schemes remain a priority for the Office
of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor," said
Fraud Prosecutor Brown. "Too many
people are willing to lie to an insurance
company and claim their car was stolen
in order to avoid repair bills or end-of-lease
payments. This indictment demonstrates
our resolve to vigorously investigate
and prosecute such cases.”
The indictment, which was handed up on
July 21, is merely an accusation. The
defendants are presumed innocent unless
and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable
doubt.
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