Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor
Zulima V. Farber, Attorney General

Gregory A. Paw, Director
Division of Criminal Justice

Greta Gooden Brown, Insurance Fraud Prosecutor

For Further Information Contact:
Division of Criminal Justice
(609) 984-1936

TRENTON - Division of Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw announced that the former office manager for an Essex County dentist has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $37,000 in insurance claim checks.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Cindy Crissien, 23, Clifton, Passaic County, pleaded guilty before Essex County Superior Court Judge Nancy Sivilli to an accusation which charged theft by deception and insurance fraud (3rd degree). Crissien faces up to ten years in state prison, a fine of up to $15,000, and possible civil insurance fraud fines when sentenced on May 12.

In pleading guilty, Crissien admitted that between Oct. 1, 2002 and May 17, 2004, while employed as the office manager in a Cedar Grove, Essex County, dentist’s office, she diverted at least 48 insurance claim reimbursement checks received by the dentist totaling more than $37,000 into her personal account. The investigation also determined that Crissien submitted $2,650 in personal dental insurance claims to MetLife for dental procedures that were not performed.

State Investigator Harry N. Maronpot, Civil Investigator Andre Mitchell, and Deputy Attorney General Joan M. Burke were assigned to the investigation. DAG Burke represented the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor at the March 23 guilty plea hearing.

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