TRENTON – Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor announced that an Essex County employee has been charged with insurance fraud and other offenses for allegedly filing fraudulent claims for wage reimbursement and disability for work she purportedly missed due to motor vehicle accidents.
Fatu K. Rimbert, 31, of Perth Amboy was charged with two counts of insurance fraud (2nd and 3rd degree), two counts of impersonation (3rd degree), and theft by deception (3rd degree) in an indictment handed up by a state Grand Jury in Trenton.
Rimbert, an employee of the Essex County Division of Welfare (“ECDOW”), allegedly submitted forged and altered documents to insurance companies to fraudulently obtain more than $7,000 in wage reimbursement and disability payments for days she purportedly was absent from work following two auto accidents.
“Anyone who thinks that using fraud and deceit is an easy way to obtain a few extra bucks from their insurance company should think again” said Attorney General Porrino. “This defendant is now facing serious charges as the result of her alleged attempt to illegally pad her claims.”
“Lying on insurance claims is a crime, no matter how large or small the payout,” said Acting insurance Fraud Prosecutor Christopher Iu. “We will protect the insurance industry and honest policy holders against fraudsters whose false claims drive up rates
According to prosecutors, Rimbert claimed she was absent various days of work because of incapacity and/or doctor’s appointments related to motor vehicle accidents in December 2014 and October 2015. She allegedly submitted fraudulent claims to Progressive Insurance Company and Minnesota Life Insurance Company in an effort to collect reimbursement for wages she purportedly lost while out of work and/or disability she experienced due to alleged incapacity and/or doctor’s appointments related to two motor vehicle accidents.
Rimbert also allegedly submitted forged and/or altered documents purportedly completed by her employer and doctor to Progressive Insurance Company, Minnesota Life Insurance Company, and Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company in support of her claims for wage reimbursement and disability.
The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $150,000; third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $15,000.
Deputy Attorneys General Kelly Levy and Jennifer Menjivar presented the case to the Grand Jury. Detectives Jessica N. Petri and Kahlil McGrady, and Sgt. Kelly Howard coordinated the investigation.
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