TRENTON
- Division of Criminal Justice Director
Vaughn L. McKoy announced that a Newark
woman has been charged by the Office of
Insurance Fraud Prosecutor with Health
Care Claims Fraud, theft, and identity
theft as a result of allegations that
she used another person’s identity
to receive medical treatment.
According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor
Greta Gooden Brown, Olivette Henderson,
34, Smith Street, Newark, Essex County,
was charged via a State Grand Jury indictment
with Health Care Claims Fraud (2nd degree),
theft by deception, and identity theft
(3rd degree). A second degree crime carries
a maximum penalty of up to ten years in
state prison and a fine of up to $150,000,
while crimes of the third degree carry
a maximum penalty of up to five years
in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Additionally, Henderson faces possible
civil insurance fraud fines pursuant to
the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act.
Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Brown noted
that the State Grand Jury indictment charges
that from Dec. 11, 2000 through March
12, 2001, Henderson used the insurance
identification information of a person
identified as “QR” to obtain
medical services. The indictment alleges
that the medical services obtained by
Henderson included foot surgery and related
medical bills totaling $44,745. The bills
were submitted to the CIGNA Property and
Casualty Insurance Company and CIGNA paid
approximately $7,550. The investigation
is continuing and additional charges are
possible.
The indictment was handed up to Mercer
County Superior Court Judge Charles A.
Delehey on Sept. 14. The case is assigned
to the Essex County Superior Court fro
trial. Henderson will be ordered to appear
in Court for arraignment and bail.
The
Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor’s
investigation was initiated when it received
an anonymous “Hot Line” call
alleging Henderson was misusing another
person’s insurance identification
card to receive medical treatment. The
investigation was conducted by State Investigator
Thomas Ference and Deputy Attorney General
Philip J. Mogavero.
“Investigative experience teaches
that very frequently, identity theft leads
to fraudulent insurance claims,”
said Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Brown.
“In this case, a person’s
insurance identification card was stolen
and used to obtained almost $50,000 worth
of medical care. Identity theft is a common
problem with respect to persons submitting
false insurance claims.”
An indictment is merely an accusation.
The defendant is presumed to be innocent
of the charges unless and until proven
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.