N.J. Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Phony Auto I.D. Card

New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn McKoy announced that a Camden County man has pleaded guilty to possessing a phony automobile insurance identification card in order to avoid obtaining legitimate automobile insurance.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Rafael Gadea, 37, of Camden County, pleaded guilty on Feb. 9 before Camden County Superior Court Judge Robert Millenky to charges contained in a criminal Accusation filed by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor. The Accusation charged Gadea with possession of a simulated motor vehicle insurance identification card (4th degree). When sentenced on April 2, Gadea faces up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Gooden Brown noted that in pleading guilty, Gadea admitted that on Jan. 9, 2003, he presented a counterfeit automobile insurance identification card to a New Jersey State trooper after being stopped for a motor vehicle violation while driving in Camden. The fake insurance card was purportedly issued by the Allstate Insurance Company.

Gadea reportedly admitted that he bought the card “on the street” and that the card was counterfeit and that he did not possess automobile insurance. Investigations by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor have determined that counterfeit or phony insurance identification cards sell for at least $50 to more than $200 each. Counterfeit insurance cards are used by unlicenced and uninsured drivers to avoid obtaining valid and legitimate automobile insurance.