MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Roosevelt man has been arrested for allegedly attempting to steal $45,000 in an insurance scheme.
James McFadden, 32, was arraigned yesterday before Judge Paul Meli on charges of:
- Insurance fraud in the 3rd degree (a D felony)
- Four counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (an E felony)
The defendant was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on June 16. If convicted of the top count, he faces up to seven years in prison.
“Insurance fraud drives up premiums for every honest policyholder and my office is committed to holding accountable those who try and scam the system,” DA Singas said.
“I am grateful to the National Insurance Crime Bureau and Progressive Insurance Company for bringing us this case.”
“The National Insurance Crime Bureau would like to applaud the staff of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office for their continued efforts in addressing insurance fraud in New York,” Kevin Gallagher, Regional Director of the Northeast Region of the National Insurance Crime Bureau said. “The cost of insurance fraud is shared by all consumers and this investigation sends a strong message to others who may be contemplating engaging in insurance fraud. We look forward to our continued partnership in combatting insurance fraud for all New Yorkers.”
DA Singas said on or about August 8, 2015, the defendant submitted a motor vehicle no-fault benefits claim for personal injury to Progressive Insurance Company under the insurance policy of a woman he did not know. The defendant allegedly made a false claim that he was a passenger in her vehicle when she was driving and became involved in an automobile accident, and that he was physically injured as a result. Medical bills were then submitted to Progressive Insurance Company on behalf of medical providers to treat McFadden - totaling approximately $45,000. All the bills were denied after Progressive’s internal investigation.
Over the course of several months, McFadden received treatments such as acupuncture, electrical stimulation, and massage from a clinic in Nassau County. McFadden also had surgery for a torn rotator cuff. This case was referred to the NCDA by the National Insurance Crime Bureau in March 2016.
Assistant District Attorney Mary Ruddy of DA Singas’ Government & Consumer Frauds Bureau is prosecuting this case. McFadden is represented by The Legal Aid Society.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.