3 Sentenced For Insurance Fraud In New York
Superintendent of Insurance Neil D. Levin has announced the Insurance Department's monthly summaries of its fraud fighting activities for January and February.
"Insurance fraud costs New Yorkers hundreds of millions of dollars each year in the form of higher insurance premiums," said Superintendent Levin. "New York State will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone involved in fraudulent activity."
The following individuals have been sentenced as a result of being convicted of insurance fraud:
Joseph H. Starr, age 55, pled guilty on January 7 to one count of grand larceny in the third degree. Starr of Star Bond Corporation produced and sold fraudulent surety bonds to numerous contractors doing business in Nassau County. These bonds were then submitted by the contractors to unsuspecting governmental agencies and municipalities in an effort to secure construction projects. Starr was sentenced on March 4 to the maximum 3.5 to 7 years in prison and was ordered to make $2.1 million in restitution.
Samuel Odunajya and Perpetua Odusanya of 3405 Neptune Ave., Brooklyn, NY were sentenced January 23 in Kings County Criminal Court for their role in a fraudulent no-fault automobile insurance ring. Samuel Odunajya was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in prison and ordered to make over $323,000 in restitution. Perpetua Odusanya was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to make over $28,629 in restitution. Both of them were arrested August 14, along with 11 other individuals, as the result of a year-long joint investigation by the Insurance Department's Frauds Bureau and the Kings County District Attorney's Office.
The following individuals have been arrested and charged with committing insurance frauds:
Darrel Washington, age 26, of 22 Sunvalley Dr., Coram, NY was arrested February 27 and charged with insurance fraud in the third degree and attempted grand larceny. After a fire loss on a rental property that Washington owned, his insurer required that Washington document that he had made repairs to the home after a previous fire a year earlier. Washington allegedly submitted fraudulent documents to his insurer stating that he had made the prior repairs. If convicted of these charges, he faces up to 14 years in prison.
Edward Oneal, age 25, of 440 Hancock St., Brooklyn, NY was arrested February 25 and charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, forgery in the second degree and being an uninsured motorist. Oneal allegedly had a fraudulent automobile insurance identification card.
Benard P. Sonnenreich, age 58, of 165 Montauk Highway, Blue Point, NY was arrested February 24 and charged with insurance fraud in the third degree. Sonnenreich allegedly falsely reported his car stolen in order to collect on the insurance proceeds. If convicted of this charge, he faces up to seven years in prison.
Winifred Greentaner, age 49, of 46 Miller Ave., Buffalo, NY was arrested February 19 and charged with insurance fraud in the third degree. Greentaner allegedly falsely reported her car stolen in order to collect on the insurance proceeds. If convicted of this charge, she faces up to seven years in prison.
James Harkins, age 21, of 2949 W. 28 St., Brooklyn, NY was arrested February 19 and charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, resisting arrest, being an uninsured motorist and being an unlicensed operator. Harkins allegedly had a fraudulent automobile insurance identification card.
Richard O'Neill, age 56, of 57 Winding Loop Rd., Staten Island, NY was arrested February 19 and charged with seven counts of grand larceny in the third degree, four counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, eight counts of petit larceny, three counts of scheme to defraud in the first degree . O'Neill, an insurance broker, allegedly submitted fraudulent contracts to a premium finance company and fraudulently secured money from clients without their permission.
Waymon Gerringer, age 58, of 326 Bainbridge St., Brooklyn, NY was arrested February 18 and charged with 2 counts each of grand larceny in the third degree, grand larceny in the fourth degree, and scheme to defraud in the first degree. Gerringer, an insurance agent and broker whose licenses have been revoked, allegedly pocketed premiums received from clients and failed to make payments to the respective insurance companies. If convicted of these charges, Gerringer faces up to seven years in prison.
Francisco Arroyo, age 32, of 974 Williams Ave., Brooklyn, NY was arrested February 11 and charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument. Arroyo allegedly had a fraudulent automobile insurance identification card.
Michael Busi Jr., age 44, and Catherine L. Busi, age 42, of 46 5th St., Godeffroy, NY were arrested February 11 and charged with insurance fraud in the third degree and falsifying business records in the first degree. The two allegedly submitted fraudulent insurance claims. If convicted of these charges, each could face up to 11 years in prison.
Joseph Grecco, age 30, of 5228 Amboy Rd., Staten Island, NY was arrested February 10 and charged with intentionally burning vehicles used in Interstate Commerce and aiding and abetting. Grecco, a tow truck operator, allegedly arranged for the burning of four of his employer's tow trucks so that insurance proceeds could be collected. If convicted of these charges, Grecco faces up to ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Reginald Barnes, age 33, of 1129 Ontario St., Niagara Falls, NY was arrested February 6 and charged with insurance fraud in the fourth degree and possession of a forged instrument in the third degree. Barnes allegedly forged documents to falsely support a wage claim from his no-fault automobile insurer. If convicted of these charges, Barnes faces up to 4 years in prison.
Joe L. Dancy Jr., age 39, of 23 Rum Cherry Rd., Ballston Spa, NY was arrested January 28 and charged with insurance fraud in the third degree and falsifying business records in the first degree. Dancy allegedly collected over $4,600 in workers' compensation benefits for a total disability while he was, in fact, working. If convicted of these charges, Dancy could face up to 11 years in prison.
Norman Scott Horn, age 30, of 2 Karla Dr., Whippany, NJ was arrested January 28 and charged with a felony count of mail fraud. Horn allegedly submitted fraudulent insurance claims for lost wages.
Juan Lopez, age 20, of 52-12 102 St., Corona, NY; Francisco Reyes, age 43, of 61-09 39th Ave., Woodside, NY; and Rafael Tigre, age 30, of 82-42 Petit Ave., Elmhurst, NY were arrested January 14. Lopez and Reyes were charged with possession of a forged instrument. Tigre was charged with being an unlicensed vehicle operator. These arrests stem from a joint investigation by the Insurance Department's Frauds Bureau, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, New York City Police Department, Port Authority Police Department, New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles and the New Jersey Attorney General's Office into the fraudulent use of automobile insurance identification cards and autos used to commit other crimes.
Jessie Bah, age 56, of 439 Calhoun Ave., Bronx, NY was arrested January 13 and charged with insurance fraud in the third degree and grand larceny in the third degree. Bah allegedly claimed to have injured her back on the job and collected over $4,700 in workers' compensation and medical benefits while she was, in fact, employed. If convicted of these charges, Bah faces up to seven years in prison.
Russell Tokotch, age 33, of 8835 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Gasport, NY was arrested January 8 and charged with arson in the third degree, insurance fraud in the third degree and criminal solicitation. Tokotch allegedly set fire to his boat and filed an insurance claim for the boat. He also alleged that new equipment was lost in the fire. However, an investigation revealed that the equipment had been returned to the store subsequent to the fire. If convicted of these charges, Tokotch could face up to 15 years in prison.