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May 23, 2003 DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE - OFFICE OF INSURANCE FRAUD PROSECUTOR CHARGES INSURANCE COMPANY EMPLOYEE WITH $600,000 THEFT Camden County Woman Arrested... 3:00 P.M. Bail Hearing In Burlington County Court... |
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TRENTON - Acting Attorney General Peter C. Harvey today announced that a Camden County woman has been charged by the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor with stealing nearly $600,000 from Allstate Insurance Company’s Burlington County Office while employed as a Claims Process Specialist. According to Vaughn McKoy, Acting Director, Division of Criminal Justice and Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Linda Clements-Wright, 42, Sandstone Drive, Sicklerville, Camden County, was charged via a State Grand Jury indictment with conspiracy, theft by unlawful taking and money laundering (2nd degree). If convicted on all counts, Clements-Wright faces up to 30 years in state prison and a fine of up to $450,000. Additionally, Clements-Wright faces possible civil insurance fraud fines pursuant to the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act. State Investigators from the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor arrested Clements-Wright late yesterday (Thurs., May 22) at the offices of Cendant Mortgage Company located at 3000 Leadenhall Road, Mt. Laurel. Clements-Wright was held in the Burlington County Jail overnight pending a 3:00 p.m. bail hearing today (Fri., May 23) before Burlington County Superior Court Judge Marvin E. Schlosser. According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Brown, the indictment alleges that between April, 1995 and September, 1998, Clements-Wright, while employed as a Claims Processing Specialist at Allstate Insurance Company’s Burlington County office, fraudulently issued more than 150 insurance claim checks totaling $594,369 to at least 11 friends and relatives who were not entitled to the monies. The Insurance Fraud Prosecutor’s investigation determined that Clements-Wright devised several schemes whereby unauthorized persons would cash Allstate claim checks and then split the monies. One alleged scheme involved cashing claim checks payable to individuals purported to be elderly Allstate claimants living in senior care facilities but who were unable to receive the funds directly. It is alleged that Clements-Wright would pay a ten percent commission to the person who cashed the check and would keep the balance of the monies. In other instances, it is alleged that Clements-Wright issued checks to unauthorized claimants for unreported property damage claims in return for a portion of the monies. Brown noted that six of the individuals who cashed insurance claim checks for Clements-Wright have pled guilty to conspiracy charges before Burlington County Superior Court Judge Marvin E. Schlosser and are awaiting sentencing. The co-conspirators are identified as: • Neville
L. Holder, 62, Clemson Road, Cherry Hill, Camden County (PTI); The Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor will proceed with civil complaints against the remaining defendants identified as: • Marsha
Alston Walker, 53, Lorraine Avenue, Moorestown, Burlington County
(sister of Bruce Alston); The investigation was conducted by the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor which investigates and prosecutes civil and criminal insurance fraud cases. State Investigator Darrell Washington, Civil Investigator Christopher Wenger and Deputy Attorney General Jacqueline D. Smith were assigned to the investigation. DAG Smith represented the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor before the State Grand Jury. Allstate Insurance Company referred the matter to the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor for criminal investigation. The indictment was handed up to Mercer County Superior Court Judge Linda R. Feinberg, the Assignment Judge in charge of the State Grand Jury, on May 22. # # # |
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