Trio of N.J. Men Charged in Fraud Scheme

New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey announced that three Middlesex County men have been charged by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor with insurance fraud as part of an alleged conspiracy to dispose of an automobile in order to file a false stolen vehicle insurance claim.

According to Vaughn McKoy, Director, Division of Criminal Justice and Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, the defendants were charged via three separate Middlesex County Grand Jury indictments handed-up on Aug. 11. The indictments charge the following individuals:

• Robert Lowery, 38, Hopelawn. Charged with conspiracy, attempted theft by deception and tampering with public records or information;
• Carlos Gonzalez, 29, Perth Amboy. Charged with conspiracy and attempted theft by deception; and
• Antonio Tomassini, 35, Perth Amboy. Charged with conspiracy and attempted theft by deception.

Each of the defendants are charged with third degree crimes which carry a maximum penalty of up to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Additionally, the defendants face the possibility of the imposition of civil insurance fraud fines pursuant to the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Brown, the indictments allege that on Jan.4, 2000, Lowery conspired with Tomassini and Gonzalez to dispose of Lowery’s 1988 Chevrolet Corvette. The vehicle was valued at approximately $8,000. It is alleged that Gonzalez removed the vehicle from Lowery’s place of business using a flat bed tow truck, gave the keys to the Corvette to Tomassini, who subsequently returned the keys to Lowery.

On Jan. 17, Lowery reportedly filed a false stolen vehicle report with the Perth Amboy Police Department and on Jan. 19, Lowery submitted a fraudulent stolen vehicle insurance claim with CNA Insurance Company. The claim was not paid.